MEMBER for Murray Helen Dalton says the issue surrounding a labour shortage in the region was not “uncommon”.
Broadacre and livestock farmer Andy Gorman has found the perfect employee to work on his farm.
But, due to him being from the Netherlands, the employee’s Australian visa has expired and he has returned home.
Mr Gorman said the state government’s focus “seemed” to be on temporary visas, “but nothing for permanent (residency)”.
“This man we’re trying to sponsor, his brother came out on a permanent residency about six years ago,” he said.
But, Mr Gorman is being advised the “margins are too tight” for “unrecognised skilled people” to be approved.
His 15,000-hectare farming property, Meilman Station, is in the bordering Balranald/Euston area.
The farm runs 2500 ewes and several hundred heads of cattle.
Mr Gorman said the Dutch man recently worked on the farm for three months as part of a visa extension to stay in Australia for a second year.
With his visa now expired, Mr Gorman’s migration agent told the employee to return home.
“We’re hoping to have him back for harvest,” Mr Gorman said.
Mr Gorman said he was fighting for the return of the employee because of his good work ethic.
“He has high mechanical skills (through previous employment), has learnt a great regard for machinery and works (well) in a team environment,” Mr Gorman said.
“His role was mainly in crop production during which he was operating large machinery, lots of sprayers, maintaining all of our machinery equipment, mustering and feeding the livestock.”
Mr Gorman said with his employee gone and a labour shortage of “good” employees in the region, his son left his permanent job in Geelong to work on the farm.
“He (Sam Gorman) will stay on the property until his studying commitments resume early next year in Geelong before he goes to Vancouver in Canada.”
Mr Gorman said over the years, the farm had employed backpackers on their visa requirement of three months of farm work.
“They’ve always had a good work ethic, but not all of them have a full understanding of day-to-day operations,” he said.
“So it takes a lot of time to train them then they’re leaving after three months and it all starts again.
“I feel the department needs to recognise farmer’s skills and their responsibilities to their equipment and livestock and let us decide who is the best person to employ.”
Mr Gorman met with Ms Dalton during her recent visit to Balranald to discuss the lack of labour on his property.
Ms Dalton told The Guardian she would discuss the matter with Member for Farrer Sussan Ley, National Farmers Federation and federal immigration.
“I’ll also flag it in our party room meeting and have a think tank about how we can navigate the issue,” she said.
“These issues Andy (Gorman) is talking about is quite common throughout the region, particularly with water and employment.”
