3 years ago
GLASS JAW LITTLEPROUD MUST STEP UP ON FARM WORK SOLUTION
Julie Collins MP
The Morrison Government must show national leadership to fix farm workforce shortages as more and more states are forced to go it alone with solutions.
Over the last two days Victoria and New South Wales have both unveiled their own policies to try and deal with farm workforce shortages forced by COVID-19 restrictions.
But the Federal Minister responsible for this issue, David Littleproud, has been missing in action.
Minister Littleproud has been very happy to criticise states when it comes to vaccinations but he has completely vacated the field when it comes to doing his own job.
He should be taking the lead and fixing workforce shortages on farms with a national plan.
Producers have already faced losses of more than $45 million from rotting crops due to workforce shortages on farms.
Recent forecasts also predicted farm labour shortages will hit the hip pocket with the price of fruit and vegetables set to rise by 7-29 per cent.
Labor has previously written to Minister Littleproud calling for him to finally step up with a real national plan to address gaps in Australia’s agriculture workforce.
The Morrison Government is still yet to respond to the recommendations of the National Agricultural Workforce Strategy handed to it in October.
But Minister Littleproud and the Nationals are more interested in shameless politicking than showing leadership for Australian farmers.
The Morrison Government has failed to take responsibility for labour shortages - farmers just want this fixed.
Minister Littleproud should stop passing the buck and start working to fix this serious workforce shortage or Australian produce will continue to rot on the farms.
Over the last two days Victoria and New South Wales have both unveiled their own policies to try and deal with farm workforce shortages forced by COVID-19 restrictions.
But the Federal Minister responsible for this issue, David Littleproud, has been missing in action.
Minister Littleproud has been very happy to criticise states when it comes to vaccinations but he has completely vacated the field when it comes to doing his own job.
He should be taking the lead and fixing workforce shortages on farms with a national plan.
Producers have already faced losses of more than $45 million from rotting crops due to workforce shortages on farms.
Recent forecasts also predicted farm labour shortages will hit the hip pocket with the price of fruit and vegetables set to rise by 7-29 per cent.
Labor has previously written to Minister Littleproud calling for him to finally step up with a real national plan to address gaps in Australia’s agriculture workforce.
The Morrison Government is still yet to respond to the recommendations of the National Agricultural Workforce Strategy handed to it in October.
But Minister Littleproud and the Nationals are more interested in shameless politicking than showing leadership for Australian farmers.
The Morrison Government has failed to take responsibility for labour shortages - farmers just want this fixed.
Minister Littleproud should stop passing the buck and start working to fix this serious workforce shortage or Australian produce will continue to rot on the farms.