Late Night Live — Full program podcast A review of the Pacific labour scheme in Australia, and rethinking the gay rights movement
Feb 19, 2026
Ronan McCrea, author and constitutional scholar who critiques contemporary gay rights, and Peter Mares, migration and housing researcher who analysed the PALM labour scheme. They discuss problems and reforms in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility program, worker welfare and employer-tied visas. They also examine rising opposition to gay rights, shifts in public support, corporate retreats and strategic rethink for the movement.
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Tied Visas Undermine Worker Agency
- PALM visas bind workers to a single employer which discourages complaints and reduces worker agency.
- Supports exist but cultural barriers and fear of losing future access make enforcement weak.
Allow Mobility Between Labour-Hire Agencies
- Allow PALM workers to move between labour-hire agencies to increase competition and worker choice.
- This change would improve productivity and give workers leverage against poor conditions.
Mossmont Nursery: A Positive PALM Example
- Mossmont Nursery employs returning seasonal workers who bring experience and quality control to sapling production.
- Workers described building houses and funding family education as reasons to endure separation.
