VISA CHANGES

Deputy Leader of the Nationals Bridget McKenzie has welcomed the changes to the Seasonal Worker Programme, announced by Nationals leader Michael McCormack and Prime Minister Scott Morrison today. 

“This announcement is an important step forward in resolving the shortage of agricultural workers in Australia and is something the Nats have been relentless in agitating for as our ag industries continue to boom,” Senator McKenzie said.

 

“It’s a simple equation – our farmers are the best in the world. They continue to grow ever more high quality, better tasting Australian produce each year and that produce needs picking, packing, sorting and shipping.

 

“To do that, you need a steady supply of workers. The changes announced today are focussed on not only creating a bigger pool of workers, but keeping the ones already on farm and in our communities there longer. This not only gives them more incentive to work in the regions and immerse themselves in our communities, but gives farmers certainty.”

 

Speaking during a recent trip to Mundubbera, a town in the Burnett region of Queensland, the Minister said that the area had “great success with current visa programs, but every grower I spoke to foreshadowed that consistency of workforce was vital – this announcement addresses those concerns in the short term while we continue to work towards permanent strategies.

 

“The issue of certainty is at the core of these changes. By the time short-term workers are trained up and working to their full potential, it’s time for them to leave again, and it’s difficult for them to even return to the same farms.

 

“Our farmers want to have positive working relationships with their employees. Working with the same people for longer periods will build these relationships, and visa holders will likewise build a relationship with their community.”

 

The proposed changes would extend the current period of work for Seasonal Worker visas by 50% - from 6 months to 9 months, provide conditional pathways to extend or bridge some types of visas, and make it easier for workers to stay with the same employer for up to 12 months. The changes would also see a reduction in out-of-pocket costs for employers.

 

“The National Party has been relentless in perusing changes like these to the visa system for years. We have achieved some steps in the right direction, but my party and I are determined to continue pushing for more important long term strategies,” Minister McKenzie said.

 

 

ENDS