Labour hire inquiry hears claims of backpackers’ poor living conditions and wage mismanagement

A South Australian Government inquiry into the labour hire industry has heard stories of poor living conditions and wage mismanagement surrounding backpackers and visa-holders working in the state’s Riverland district. Barmera backpacker accommodation provider Thomas Towle told the inquiry that he knew of cases where backpackers had tax deducted from their pay and never passed over to the Tax Office.