Photos of injuries and serious bruises on what appeared to be a Tongan Seasonal worker in Australia have surfaced on social media, prompting an investigating by the Pacific Islands Council Queensland (PICQ).
The photos, which were shared on Facebook on Tuesday appeared to show the bruising was consistent with the man being beaten.
The photos were accompanied with a caption alleging that the incident was part of a pattern of violence kept shrouded in secrecy. There was serious allegation of threatenings and fear of reprisals from the perpetrator—especially if it is a leader of the group.
Kaniva News contacted Tongan authorities for comment.
Commenters on Facebook have identified the victim as well as the accused. Kaniva News cannot publish their identities at this stage for legal reasons.
It is understood the PICQ investigators were attempting to talk to some of the Tongan Seasonal workers who knew about the incident.
The PICQ investigators vowed to continue investigations ‘with the aim of bringing those involved to justice’, a reliable source told Kaniva News.
PICQ described itself on its website as “a non-profit community incorporated association, managed by volunteer representatives of member community groups and individuals who believe in the collective voice for the benefit of all Pacific Islanders”.
About 5,000 Tongan workers were employed across Australia and New Zealand under their respective Pacific temporary labour schemes.
Many of these workers have been absent from home for much longer than usual due to COVID-related travel restrictions, with some now in New Zealand and Australia for more than two years.
