MALLEE farmers stand to benefit from an announcement made by the Federal Government to extend working holiday maker and other visas amid the
COVID-19 crisis.
Visa changes will impact those within the Pacific Labour Scheme, Seasonal Worker Program and Working Holiday Makers and a range of other visa holders who are unable to depart Australia.
Member for Mallee Anne Webster said the changes could benefit farmers in the region.
“We can’t afford to see fruit rotting on trees and vines, and vegetables left unpicked. It is vital our farmers maximise their hard work and economic returns,” Dr Webster said.
“Many local growers have approached me, concerned about the impact the COVID-19 would have on their workforce, specifically to those workers who had only a short time remaining on their visa.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said tourists on a working holiday in Australia could take up jobs in regional communities, but only if they registered with the Federal Government and self-isolate for 14-days.
He said travellers on working holiday visas can travel to rural and regional communities to assist with primary production work like fruit picking only after that 14-day isolation period.
“There are particular places in the agriculture sector that rely on those workers each year as you go into the seasons, either for planting our harvesting or food picking and it’s important that those businesses and those producers are able to continue to conduct their business,” Mr Morrison said.
“There will be opportunities there for working holidaymakers who are looking to engage in those occupations as they regularly do.
“They will be required to self-isolated and register and do that from where they are now for a period of 14 days before they transfer to another part of the country in a rural and regional area.”
Mr Morrison said employers will be able to see if a job-seeking traveller has completed self-isolation before offering any work.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the temporary measures would allow important work in the agriculture sector to continue.
“Agriculture is an essential sector and it relies on temporary visa holders, many of whom arrive and depart Australia on a seasonal basis,” he said.
“These visa holders fill a critical workforce gap in this sector.
“That is why the Australian Government is putting temporary measures in place to allow important work in the agriculture sector to continue and enable workers already here to extend their stay and remain lawfully in Australia until they are able to return to their home countries.”
He said there were tough rules to ensure that COVID-19 is not transported to regional and rural communities that have thankfully not experienced the same level transmission.
“Before moving to other parts of the country, working holiday makers will need to self-isolate for 14 days and register at the Australia.gov.au website,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Those who do not comply will face having their visas cancelled.
“I have been in discussion with Local Councils, farmers and Backpacker Hostels who are concerned about these requirements not being followed and the risk this poses.”
Dr Webster said the visa extensions were one more way that the Australian Government was giving Mallee farmers and communities critical support during what has been a very difficult start to the year.
‘Sadly, there’s been a significant number of Australians who’ve lost their jobs due to the economic impacts of COVID-19, but the Australian Government is ensuring that will not be the case for in Mallee,” she said.
“I know there has been strong interest from job ads and I welcome the announcement that we are keeping market testing requirements in place to ensure recruitment of Australians first.
“We are well positioned with the decisions taken by the Australian Government to ensure that our farmers are well supported in Mallee to continue to work during this time and receive the support they need.”
