Labor has made a complete mess of the Working Holiday Maker visa, following revelations that the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) will be forced to submit applications to fast-track backpackers during critical planting and harvesting seasons.
Shadow Minister for Immigration, Senator Jonno Duniam, said that the Albanese Government was now forcing the NFF to fix the mess it had itself created – and to effectively act as a migration agent.
“The Labor Government must provide immediate clarity about how farmers will get the workers they need and who will decide how – and how quickly – that happens,” Senator Duniam said.
“It is astounding that just one week after Immigration Minister Tony Burke’s address at the National Press Club, his immigration plan is already in disarray and falling to pieces.
“But rather than fix the mess themselves, Labor sees fit to put the burden on those who have the least amount of time and resources to do so.
“There has also been no clarity or explanation about what will now be done to provide fixes for other sectors beyond farming, including hospitality and tourism.”
Last week, Labor announced changes to the backpacker intake. Year two will cut the backpacker intake from 57,000 to 45,000 and year three will cut from 31,000 to 5,000. This is a cut in numbers over years two and three by more than 40 per cent.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Darren Chester said the changes would add extra pressure on farmers during peak periods.
“Labor’s mess should not be up to our farmers to fix,” Mr Chester said.
“Labor does not understand farming or agriculture and so has forced the industry to work it out itself. After announcing huge cuts in backpacker visas, Labor has been forced to backtrack just days later.
“The short-term process is an admission that Labor has badly botched this.”
Shadow Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Sam Birrell, said Labor’s patch-up job would not provide a long-term solution.
“Farmers are telling me they are anxious and worried about the upcoming peak season, but to make matters worse, it will now be up to them to prove why they need extra workers,” Mr Birrell said.
“I have been working with harvesting contractors who are ready to start, but the experienced workers they rely on are stuck in limbo; they have been under enormous stress because of this mess.
“Labor owes it to our farming community to explain exactly how it will fix this mess and prioritise the workers that farmers need.
“Our farmers are there to grow the nation’s food and fibre – not be used as political pawns.”
