DEPUTY Prime Minister Michael McCormack says the Federal Government is “working very hard” to help citrus growers who are without their seasonal workforce due to the New South Wales border rules.
But he also joined NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian in presenting out-of-work locals as a possible solution to the issue.
In his Tuesday press conference, Mr McCormack said the government was working with state agriculture ministers.
“We’re working very with state authorities to see what we can do,” he said.
“Of course, if there is anybody who doesn’t have a job because of COVID and does want a job, well there’s plenty of fruit to be picked in Victoria and indeed New South Wales.
“In the Sunraysia area, I know poor Anne Webster, the Member for Mallee, is distraught about the situation … with seasonal workers unable to come across because they may happen to be in that bubble.
“We’re working very hard to get as many of them across, or any of them across, to be able to pick that fruit.
“Because the one thing we don’t want is to see navels or mandarins, whatever they might be growing, whatever is coming into season at the moment, being left to waste on the trees or indeed on the ground.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday praised the NSW Government for being “able to keep their economy open” while managing coronavirus outbreaks.
