Newsroom

October 3, 2025

FEDERAL MP Bob Katter has revealed explosive evidence of rampant child labour in the Philippines’ banana industry – while the Australian Government considers opening the floodgates to imports.

Reports show 22.5 percent of households in banana-growing regions have children working in plantations. Many are unaccompanied minors, living in makeshift tents, and exposed to poverty wages and brutal working conditions.

Yet, the Australian Government’s assessment of imports from the Philippines will ‘only consider disease risk’ – completely ignoring the exploitation of children.

“Let me be clear, any importation of bananas from the Philippines will mean the death of the Australian banana industry – an annual loss of $1.3 billion and many thousands of jobs,” Mr Katter said.

“Also, it will exacerbate the poor working conditions amongst the Philippine agricultural workforce. There is no need, no want, and no justification for these imports,” he said.

“Australia already produces more bananas than we consume.”

WE MUST STOP THIS LUNCACY!