The Fair Work Ombudsman is preparing to launch an investigation into claims backpackers employed as fruit pickers in one of the country's biggest food producing regions are being underpaid by labour hire contractors and forced to live in illegal budget accommodation, report the ABC.

According to the news report, the investigation will focus on the Queensland city of Bundaberg where, each year, thousands of travellers spend at least 88 days working on farms along the harvest trail in order to extend their 417 working holiday visas.

Taiwanese backpacker Claire, who goes by her Australian nickname, moved to the city last June to work on a tomato farm.

Speaking to 7.30, Claire claimed to have been significantly underpaid, forced to sleep in a living room with 25 other backpackers, mostly from Korea, and denied rest breaks despite working all day beneath the sun without shelter.

"We just got $7 a day and we needed to spend maybe six hours a day picking tomatoes," she said.

The image which went alongside the following tweet grabbed my attention on twitter this morning.  I want to share this with you. 

Retweeted by Welcome to Australia

SACOSS ‏@SACOSS Jun 16

In #RefugeeWeek, today and everyday - Racism. It Stops With All Of Us. #auspol #saparli @ItStopsWithMe pic.twitter.com/QUwn8Gpp6d

I received this email this morning from the Immigration Minister:

Dear Liana,

Today Australia reached a significant milestone, marking six months since the last successful people smuggling operation.
 
Operation Sovereign Borders is working. The boats are stopping and this is saving lives.

Stopping the boats is saving the Budget $2.5 billion over the next four years – around $50 million a month.

We need your help to share the message that Australia’s borders are secure again.

If you are on Facebook, click here and share our message.

 
Under Labor’s watch, 190 boats arrived in the equivalent six month period last year.
 
Combating the work of people smugglers is an ongoing effort.  The Government will remain vigilant in ensuring that our borders remain strong.

Help us let all Australians know that we are honouring our commitment to build a safe and secure Australia.

Regards,

Scott Morrison
Minister for Immigration and Border Protection

Dear Colleages

As you are aware, since it's inception Migration Alliance has sought to promote and protect the interests of Registered Migration Agents (RMAs).

Migration Alliance has just written to Senator Cash providing a comprehensive suite of documents (see below for copies) including submissions, briefing papers and draft legislative instruments designed to shut down unregistered practice.

The following information has been received by Migration Alliance from the DIBP:

'Clients may receive requests for further information in relation to an application that are not signed off by a particular case officer.

As you would be aware, the Department has a responsibility to continuously look at doing its work in more efficient ways.