THE federal government will increase access to the migrant workforce in response to local industry concerns around a potential labour shortfall this harvest season.
Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie said the regional agriculture migration package, revealed on Monday, recognised the critical importance of the Wimmera-Mallee, adding “we can’t risk having that valuable fruit rot on the orchard floor”.
Concerns over a potential labour shortage in the industry have grown following the recent implementation of the state government’s new labour hire licensing scheme, with fears many will simply jump the border to less regulated industries in New South Wales and South Australia.
Last week, Robinvale ward representative, Jade Benham said growers were under immense pressure, from water scarcity and sky rocketing cost, labour shortages and increased regulation, with it “just one thing after another” at the moment.
The changes mean that up to an additional 1000 Pacific workers could be available this season, building on almost 4000 additional places available to workers from Vietnam, Thailand and Poland under the work and holiday visa program.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Michaelia Cash said the extension of the seasonal worker program pilot to the Wimmera-Mallee was for an additional two years.
“The Morrison Government is committed to backing Australian farmers by improving access to seasonal workers to support regional communities and small businesses,” Ms Cash said.
“The seasonal workers program pilot will allow additional workers to assist eligible Australian growers for the upcoming harvest season.”
Ms McKenzie said under the new package farmers, including horticulture growers in the Mallee region, would have better access to the labour needed to harvest their fruit this season, with the federal government “acting on concerns raised by the community”.
She said the regional agriculture migration package was a “practical response” to the desperate need in the region for greater access to migrant labour.
“This package is about getting the right labour at the right time at the right place, making sure there is suitable accommodation available and ensuring compliance with workplace laws,” she said.
“Importantly, the package will give growers, especially smaller growers, access to the seasonal worker program pilot, with a regional co-ordinator to help them club together to provide the volume of work needed to attract and sustain the harvest workforce.
“The Wimmera-Mallee is a critically important food producing region — accounting for 10 per cent of all horticulture farms and generating more than $1.35 billion for our national economy — we can’t risk having that valuable fruit rot on the orchard floor.”
Ms McKenzie also praised Member for Mallee Anne Webster for her advocacy on the issue, to improve access and highlight the complexity of the issue.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman said while the government’s first priority was always to fill jobs with Australians, the immigration system was helping to address regional skills gaps and grow local economies.
“Last year, more than 43,000 second-year visas were granted to working holiday makers who worked in regional areas — a 20 per cent increase on the previous year,” he said.
“This year, we’re adding the potential for a third-year visa for working holidaymakers who do an additional six months of regional work.
“This year, we’ve also set aside 25,000 regional skilled visa places in our permanent migration program to further support regional businesses, including farmers.
“The government is working with the horticulture industry to establish a horticulture industry labour agreement before 2020, to increase access to migrant workers at different skill levels, replicating similar agreements with the dairy, meat and pork industries.”
Dr Webster said the program was a win for the region.
“I’ve been taking the concerns of our growers to Canberra for months now and I’m pleased to see we have been listened to,” Dr Webster said.
“We need to make sure these workers have appropriate places to live in our vibrant regions.
“Through this package, we’ll put an accommodation broker in the Wimmera-Mallee to work on innovative accommodation solutions.”
Dr Webster said these solutions would come from “active, constructive partnership” with local councils, state governments, industry and communities.
“We have the chance to make sure we can get the fruit off the trees for our growers, and generate additional economic activity through the accommodation component of the program,” Dr Webster said.
“That adds up to a win-win for the Mallee.”
