Any instance of abuse towards seasonal workers in Australia is inexcusable and will be addressed. This assertion was made by Pat Conroy, the Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific, during a press conference in Tonga yesterday. He was reacting to concerns regarding the mistreatment of workers involved in the seasonal Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. Mr. Conroy acknowledged Australia’s history of employing workers from the Pacific while emphasizing that participation in the scheme is voluntary, and countries retain full authority over the selection of their workers sent to Australia. Currently, Mr. Conroy is in Tonga for the 53rd Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting.