MILDURA councillor Stefano de Pieri has cast aside his political differences with The Nationals to back calls from four of their federal MPs for a visa scheme for undocumented migrant horticulture workers already in Australia.
The celebrity cook, who is responsible for the council’s economic development portfolio, said the Federal Government should stop “stuffing around” many people waiting for decisions on visa applications and “grant them amnesty to stay under certain conditions”.
“I used to work in immigration,” Cr de Pieri said. “There are not only people who may be here illegally – but there are a large number of people whose application for residency is pending.
“Either the Federal Government should expedite that process, or swiftly grant them a stay because immigration is shut now.
“We have a big shortage of seasonal workers in this region and we can’t afford any more wasted time.
“You can speak to any grower around Sunraysia and they’ll tell you they are desperate for workers.”
The four Nationals members, including Mallee MP Anne Webster, gave public support for an amnesty on undocumented migrants for the first time at the weekend.
The move comes after the Victorian Farmers Federation called for an amnesty last year and the Federal Government ruled out the possibility of the scheme going ahead.
It is estimated there could be between 50,000 and 100,000 undocumented migrants in Australia, with many working on farms, including in the Sunraysia region.
“We can easily find out if these people are of a good character,” Cr de Pieri said.
“We should be supporting Anne Webster and the other National MPs who are standing up for this very logical thing.
“They have broken ranks and come up with a good idea. It needs to be supported.
“We already have fruit dying on vines and we need to help our growers during this tough time.
“The Prime Minister (Scott Morrison) and Immigration Minister (Alex Hawke) need to listen to the pleas for labour help. What are they waiting for?”
Member for Mildura Ali Cupper has also welcomed the endorsement from The Nationals as a “positive first step”.
“This is a federal issue and it is incumbent on the Federal Government to listen to the industry, listen to its own Coalition members whose electorates are most affected, and step up and act,” Ms Cupper said.
