Study on Timorese PALM returnees

Question

Mr Marcelo: I have some data points I could add on Timor-Leste specifically, if you're interested. It might help your query. Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Yes. Mr Marcelo: According to information we have, PALM workers-I think this was raised earlier in the day, in terms of the remittances they send back home-send back, on average, $1,173 each month. From April 2022 to December 2025, the total remittances for Timorese PALM workers is $200 million. There's also a study, which came from Monash University, on Timorese PALM returnees. Compared to nonmigrants, Timorese PALM returnees are more than four times as likely to build a house and to have better quality houses-tiled floors, clean drinking water-and twice as likely to be running a business. They invest roughly 10 times more into businesses back home, and they're twice as likely to spend money on education for family members. This is a study from Monash University on the benefits to those returnees. Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Thank you for that. If you could, on notice, provide details about that study. But it appears that there is fairly granular data. It comes back to the question that I think you took on notice, Minister. The data will tell the story the data tells. If it is a story that says things have changed since 2022 and there's more money going home, let's have the data speak. If we can get it on the public record as soon as possible, I think that would be very useful.

Answer

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