Concern raised on solar workers

AUSTRALIAN Border Force officers have inspected several North Queensland solar farms in response to allegations foreign workers were illegally being employed ahead of locals.

Sources told the Townsville Bulletin ABF officers visited the Hayman and Daydream solar farms, which are managed by engineering firm RCR Tomlinson, in Collinsville yesterday.

An ABF spokeswoman confirmed “employer awareness visits” had taken place.

“Australian Border Force officers have been conducting employer awareness visits at a number of renewable energy businesses in Collinsville,” she said.

“Employer awareness visits are routinely conducted to ensure businesses understand their responsibility to employ lawful workers.”

It is understood the officers’ visit was a result of allegations being made that the solar farms had employed backpackers to work on projects instead of locals.

Dawson federal MP George Christensen told the Bulletin he referred allegations he had received from members of the community to Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge about two weeks ago.

“Absolutely I was not aware that a visit would take place ( yesterday) but I was certainly aware that the matter was being looked at by the ABF because I took it to them,” he said.

“I do know people who made certain allegations, that the ABF conducted interviews with them earlier this week.”

Mr Christensen said the information he passed on to the Department of Home Affairs included allegations that had been made to him that the solar farms were engaging employees “not in accord with their visa situation”.

“I am not accusing any entity, business or worker of doing anything illegal but I will say in general if you are here in Australia for a visa for a very specific type of work, the employer cannot get that person to do a different type of work that any Australian could do,” he said.

“Where that does happen the people will be sent home and the company in question will be fined.”

Mr Christensen said the ABF officers’ “swift” response showed how seriously this type of allegation was taken.

CFMEU regional co- ordinator Mick Robinson said there had been a number of serious allegations related to the solar farms.

“This isn’t just about the alleged misuse of foreign workers, this is about the possible exploitation of foreign labour,” he said.

A spokesman for RCR Tomlinson did not respond to a request for comment before deadline.