This is part of the Triple A update series covering AUSVEG’s advocacy activities. Read the previous edition here.

Amendments to existing visa programs

The Prime Minister’s announcement last week to changes to visa programs is a step in the right direction to addressing the chronic shortage of labour in Australian horticulture.

While AUSVEG and other members of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Horticulture Council have and will continue to push for a dedicated Agriculture Visa, the changes to the existing Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa and the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) are positive ones for industry.

Both programs are heavily relied upon throughout Australia and increasing age limits for the WHM program participation from 30 to 35 years of age, allowing WHMs to stay with the same agricultural employer for a full year, extending the SWP period to nine months and reducing out-of-pocket expense are good results for many growers.

AUSVEG has pushed for changes to existing visas, as well as an Agriculture Visa, with Federal Government for some time. We thank Prime Minister Morrison for the announcement, and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Agriculture and Water Resources Minister David Littleproud, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Richard Colbeck and Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific Anne Ruston for the strong role they have played in delivering a positive outcome for industry.

It is certainly not a ‘silver bullet’ which will solve the chronic labour issue, but it will no doubt assist growers in the short term.

Push continues for an Agriculture Visa

AUSVEG also welcomed Scott Morrison’s announcement regarding an Agriculture Visa and insisting the concept is not off the table – the PM said his government was committed to working with industry to develop a longer-term solution.

AUSVEG will continue to advocate for its growers to have a reliable and competent workforce.

A key element of the Agriculture Visa is portability. Allowing workers the ability to continue to follow agriculture work when it becomes available, as well as allowing growers to share a workforce, would be positive for both workers and growers.

AUSVEG’s aim is to allow growers access to a willing workforce – a workforce who are coming into Australia to work in agriculture so that they do not need to rely on a workforce that is often here to ‘tick the box’ so they can continue their holiday.

In order for horticulture to reach its full potential, it requires an efficient and willing workforce that is committed and driven to work in agriculture.

This is why AUSVEG still needs your help in order to push the case, and we need growers’ help by logging their labour requirements through the National Harvest labour Information Service, as requested by the Prime Minister.

AUSVEG also welcomed the additional funding for Growcom’s Fair Farms Initiative. Fair Farms is an industry-led initiative which aims to ensure growers have the tools and information to implement proper employment practices. To see more about the program, visit the Growcom website.

It is clear that government is prepared to listen to the horticulture industry, and more importantly, act in its best interests.

Now horticulture has the ear of the government, it’s up to us all to work together to provide deliverable solutions to issues growers have in their business.

We’d love to hear your story on labour! Send it through to tyson.cattle@ausveg.com.au.

Photo credit: Saruntorn Chotchitima/Shutterstock

This post appeared in the AUSVEG Weekly Update published 13 November 2018. Subscribe to the Update using our online form to receive the latest industry news in your inbox every week!