A seasonal harvest sign-on bonus of $2430 will be provided to locals who take up horticulture work. The sign-on bonus will be paid in two allotments – $810 after two weeks’ work and $1620 after an additional six weeks.
Eligibility includes the need to complete 10 days of work within a one-month period for the first bonus and at least 30 days within three months for the second.
This comes on top of the 1500 Pacific island workers who will be brought into Victoria after quarantining in Tasmania.
Our farmers are desperate for labour for their harvest. For some, it is already too late and this latest announcement from the Victorian Government will not be a silver bullet.
But it does give anyone an opportunity to earn some extra money while helping our growers get their produce picked.
The issue of seasonal workers – and the ability of our growers to access the foreign labour force they want – has been the cause of angst for many years.
The COVID-19 pandemic, with international border closures, has really highlighted why we need a national approach to the issue.
The Federal Government has long resisted a dedicated agriculture visa despite industry bodies including the National Farmers’ Federation and Victorian Farmers Federation supporting that move.
A specific ag visa which would allow farmers greater access and ability to attract the labour force they want – and need.
It was encouraging to hear Victorian Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas tell State Parliament this week that she, along with her New South Wales and Queensland colleague ministers, have sought an urgent meeting with the Federal Minister for Agriculture to discuss a national approach.
The time has come for this issue to be resolved. Our growers deserve nothing less.
