[Published on Tuesday, 5 May 2026]
BY NED GAGAHE
More than 300 Solomon Islands PALM (Pacific Australia Labour Mobility) workers gathered on Tuesday last week in Cobram, a Murray River town on the Victoria–New South Wales border, for community-focused information sessions to strengthen support, safety and connection.
“Cobram sits right on the Murray River, and many you are living and working also in Griffith – on both sides of the border. You are an important part of the local workforce and community while you are here,” Robert Sisilo, Solomon Islands high commissioner to Australia, told the more than 300 strong workforce – men and women.
A central focus of the sessions was to ensure workers have accurate information as they approach the end of their contracts and should therefore be heading back home, a statement by the high commission over the weekend said.
Concerns have emerged around an increase in applications for protection visas, often based on misunderstandings about outcomes, the statement said.
“We are encouraging workers to seek reliable advice and understand the full picture before making decisions that could affect their future. Clear information helps protect opportunities to return to Australia and continue supporting families back home,” Mr Sisilo, who was driven for five hours from Canberra to Cobram, said.
The sessions also focused on practical aspects of daily life in regional Australia, particularly important in towns where travel between communities is common. These included:
- Changing from a Solomon Islands driver’s licence to a Victorian or New South Wales licence after six months;
- Understanding that driving unlicensed after this period is illegal;
- Keeping employers informed about transport arrangements and licence status;
- Ensuring vehicles are registered and insured in the correct state; and
- Promoting road safety, especially on regional roads, and avoiding travel with unlicensed or impaired drivers.
Workers were also encouraged to stay connected with one another, local community groups, and support networks, including churches and cultural gatherings that play an important role for Solomon Island communities in regional areas.
“In towns like Cobram and Griffith, community matters. Looking out for each other—on the road, at work, and in daily life—helps everyone feel safer and more supported,” Sisilo said.
The visits are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships between PALM workers, employers, and regional communities across both Victoria and New South Wales and the rest of Australia.
Photo credit: Supplied
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