The possibility of Australia opening its doors to guest workers is one of the few rays of hope Tonga has for counteracting the serious threat posed by the potential loss of remittances as many members of the second generation overseas reject the burden of responsibility for Tonga’s economic wellbeing shouldered for so long by their parents. In the past few years, Tonga has faced increasing internal unrest as its citizens express their discontent with the many effects of poor governance. The expectations of the population have risen more rapidly than their standard of living, culminating in the 2005 Public Service strike in which wage rises of up to 80 per cent were demanded. While the strikers were victorious and massive wage rises have been promised, the Tongan Government has claimed that 73 per cent of all government expenditure now will be on wages (Pacific Beat online, Radio Australia, September 7, 2005). In January 2006, Tonga’s Minister of Labour, Commerce and Industries, Feleti Sevele, admitted that Tonga was facing financial disaster (Pacific Magazine 2006). More than ever before, Tonga needs the income generated by remittances, and the very real possibility that they will decline before too long needs to be addressed urgently not only within Tonga but by the governments of host nations, in whose immigration policies a possible solution could be found.