Australia’s Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific visits Tonga ^Featured

On the first stop in ‘Eua, the Assistant Minister saw first-hand the progress achieved with Australian aid recovery, one year on from Cyclone Gita. She visited Kiko’s Place, a guest house and whale swim operator, supported by the Australian-funded Tonga Skills program.

She also inspected the Tonga Red Cross Society’s pre-positioned emergency supplies and one of the new cyclone-resilient homes built by CARE Australia and MORDI Tonga Trust, with support from Australian Aid.

On Tuesday, the Assistant Minister attended the signing ceremony for Tonga to enter the Pacific Labour Scheme.

The Scheme will provide more Tongan workers with new opportunities to work in low and semi-skilled jobs in Australia for up to 3 years.

The Prime Minister of Tonga, the Hon ‘Akilisi Pohiva, and the Australian High Commissioner-designate, HE Adrian Morrison, signed the memorandum of understanding.

The scheme is open to all sectors and industries, including but not limited to hospitality and tourism, aged care and disability care, non-seasonal agriculture, forestry and fishing.

The scheme will be managed in Tonga by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Employment Division.

Ms Ruston also visited the Ma’a Fafine mo e Famili office to observe the Disabilities Carers’ Support Group, coordinated by Australian volunteer Raina Stella Reyes, and met with partners including the National Emergency Management Office, Tonga Electoral Commissioners, and Nishi Trading.

This visit was an opportunity to consolidate important partnerships in the Tonga, as Australia continues its step-up to support a stronger and resilient region.