Young Tongan rugby player’s life cut short

Tongan rugby player Sione Vakameilalo Fifita was 22 when he arrived in Australia earlier this year as a seasonal worker.

Determined to provide for his parents in Tongatapu, Sione, known as Vaka, passed his health checks on the way out of his country as one of 6166 Pacific Islanders who arrived in Australia to work on farms and in tourism in 2016-17 as part of the Seasonal ­Worker Program.

But about a month after ­arriving in Queensland, Vaka fell ill on April 17, while working for contractor Brockfield Enterprises in Childers.

Agent for Vaka’s family, Kennedy ­Fakana’ana’-ki-Fualu said on the fifth day he had been ill, he began vomiting blood but was not taken to a doctor for another three days. By then it was too late.

The young man’s health quickly deteriorated and he was moved to Bundaberg Hospital and placed in an induced coma before being flown to the Royal Brisbane Hospital where he died on May 4.

Kennedy said more than six months later the cause of death was still unknown with a pathologist report yet to be ­finalised. “The hospital staff think an external bacteria or virus may have got in and attacked his system,” ­Kennedy said.

He said he had been told Vaka was living in cramped conditions with other seasonal workers who have complained of enormous wage deductions and unsafe accommodation, including a caravan that leaked when it rained.

“In Tonga, they promote it as if it is a great opportunity and people fall for it,” Kennedy said. “They don’t realise it is really hard work and you’re out in the sun, you’re mistreated.

“Both Australian and Tongan governments must do something to avoid more people being lost.”

A lawyer for the company said his client was not made aware of Vaka’s illness until a Saturday, and while Vaka initially refused medical treatment, he was taken to a hospital at the earliest opportunity.

“As you would be aware the unfortunate passing of Mr Vaka has been the subject of a formal inquiry from relevant authorities and while the passing of a young man is indeed a tragedy, and seems to have related to a pre-existing health condition, it seems there was no unusual features of his wellness or treatment which would bring our client under any scrutiny or the subject of any criticism for his general care and wellbeing,” the lawyer’s letter said.

The Weekly Times-Courier Mail investigation can reveal the Tonga Australian Seasonal Worker Association sent a 120-page document to the Department of Employment outlining claims of mistreatment and underpayment of workers, including some who were employed by Vaka’s employer, Brockfield Enterprises.

The Queensland coroner confirmed Vaka’s death was being investigated.

A spokesman for the Department of Employment said any allegations of mistreatment by approved employers under the program, were “thoroughly investigated”.

A Brockfield Enterprises spokesman refused to respond to questions.