MEMBER for Mallee Anne Webster says recent talks with Indonesia to sign up to the agricultural worker visa have been positive.
Dr Webster said that these talks were an essential step in seeing boots on the ground in Mallee farms.
“One of the greatest challenges to our agricultural sector is workforce shortage,” she said.
“The Federal Government is doing all that is possible so that this is rectified as soon as possible.
“With these encouraging talks in place, we have taken another significant step to see workers come into the region.”
Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said this is was “major step forward” to relieve the workforce pressures that Australian farmers and agricultural industries faced.
“As one of our closest neighbours and trading partners, I am very pleased that Indonesia is eager to strengthen our relationship even further,” Mr Littleproud said.
The Federal Government has committed to bringing another 12,500 people into Australia through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme by March 2022.
Dr Webster said the government was also in discussions with a number of other countries regarding their participation in the visa.
