Full Story The dark underside of the NSW blueberry industry
Oct 14, 2025
Anne Davies, an investigative journalist and New South Wales state correspondent for The Guardian, uncovers the troubling realities of the booming blueberry industry. She reveals the harsh conditions faced by seasonal workers, including overcrowded housing and exploitative debts. Davies discusses the complexities of the Palms visa system that leaves many vulnerable. Environmental concerns also surface, with evidence of pesticide harm affecting local ecosystems. Tensions rise between farms and residents, highlighting the unseen cost of cheaper blueberries.
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Workers Arriving On Palms Visas
- Solomon Islanders and other Pacific workers arrive on Palms visas to work in agriculture on the mid-north coast of NSW.
- When disputes happen they can become 'abscondees' and extremely vulnerable to exploitation.
Overcrowded, Charged Accommodation
- Workers often live crammed into substandard housing: three-bedroom houses with 15–20 people or old motels and caravans.
- Farmers or labour-hire companies commonly charge for accommodation, transport and basic utilities, driving workers into debt.
Debt And Passport Confiscation Trap
- Confiscating passports and creating debt bonds workers to employers, effectively producing modern slavery conditions.
- Isolation, lack of food and transport breakdowns amplify their inability to leave exploitative situations.