on 04-04-2020 04:23 PM
latest word is that tourist workers like pack packers will have visa conditions amended that enables continued harvast work or/and allow individuals to start harvest work after a 14 day isolation for the duration of this pandenic
https://www.standard.net.au/story/6711379/visa-rule-changes-for-backpackers-others/?cs=10259
Now as harvest work earnings can be slim pickings , maybe a modest supplement retainer wage could be arranged to ensure continued enthusiastic and productive outputs , also maybe for new hopefuls a standardised large family sized tents and rent assistance at the nearest agreeable caravan park would avoid 3rd world unsightly squallor ( along with free injury insurance etc, is not all beer and sunshine)
Maybe an amnesty for "permanent visa-overstayers" would also be useful and refine correctly the true composition of the population and so add to the harvest effort ( for those not employed in essential services etc )
Roving non-working visa tourists ( and gray nomads ) need to be immediately grounded to one location of their choosing , with the option of periodic authorised relocations - as their presence can spread the virus as evidenced in SA recently - and one super-shedder could finish the job that smallpox started 200 years ago if it gets loose in the far north
on 04-04-2020 04:32 PM
on 04-04-2020 04:35 PM
as each day passes we are hearing of many small groups of people who for one reason or another are living in australia and have no regular income.
they are not citizens so cannot use anything the govt is offering
some are even being told to 'go home'
even though going home at short notice isnt an option.
they may not have money, not enough for tickets on the few flights out anyway.
or their home countries may be shut down, more than we are.
still, they are here, they need a roof over their heads and food to eat.
i think we have a duty of care to all of them until they can 'go home'
on 04-04-2020 04:38 PM
How many threads do we need on this virus?
There's 14 so far by the OP and this one is a duplicate
https://community.ebay.com.au/t5/Community-Spirit/Tourists/m-p/2307871#M704620
It's too hard to find any relevant info