Second chance for PALM hopefuls with minor convictions

Workers who missed out on Australia and New Zealand labour schemes because of minor criminal convictions will get another chance to apply, Employment Minister Agni Deo Singh said.

Speaking to this masthead outside Parliament after the Criminal Records Bill 2025 was passed, Mr Singh said he would be reopening registrations soon for those blocked from the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme and the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in New Zealand.

"We will be reopening the registrations soon and we want to invite them to reapply and they will be considered along with others," he said.

Mr Singh said the new law addressed a longstanding barrier he had noticed since taking office.

"When I came in as the Minister for Employment, I realised that there were some very minor offences for which our workers were being denied the right to go and work abroad in Australia and New Zealand under the scheme itself," he said.

He gave examples of the kind of minor offences involved.

"Somebody might have been drunk and disorderly in their late teens. Somebody might have had a minor larceny offence and they have since then suffered the consequences. They have paid their penalty and they have done their time and they are now reformed and these people deserve a second chance," Mr Singh said.

He thanked Acting Attorney-General Siromi Turaga for bringing the bill to Parliament.

"We are expunging those minor offences. That doesn't mean that we are letting people out of jail. It doesn't mean that we are letting people go after committing offences. It is those who have reformed and are now ready to reintegrate and they must be given a chance," he said.

Parliament passed the Criminal Records Bill 2025 on Wednesday. The new law allows minor convictions to be wiped – known as "spent" or "expunged" – from a person's record after they have reformed, helping them access jobs, travel, and overseas work schemes.