30 July 2021
The Ag Visa – Needs grower support
The Ag Visa – Needs grower support
30 July 2021
Federal Agriculture Minister the Hon David Littleproud announced the new Seasonal Agriculture Workforce Visa for workers from all ten ASEAN countries in June, after Prime Minister Scott Morrison released details of the new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UK.
Under the FTA, Working Holiday Makers (backpackers) from the UK do not have to work in regional Australia for 88 days to acquire the second year of their visa, which is expected to mean a large decline in these workers taking on agricultural work.
Minister Littleproud said it would be implemented by the end of the year.
The government has since made a decision to allow all backpackers to fulfil their 88 days in the hospitality sector, which has further reduced the potential workforce for agriculture.
The Seasonal Agriculture Worker Visa is now at risk.
Citrus Australia has serious concerns that the implementation of this visa will not be in 2021. With the federal election expected to be called early 2022, the agriculture industry could miss out on this visa promise for the second time.
CEO Nathan Hancock has written urgently to the Prime Minister, to urge the Coalition Government to support, at a minimum, a trial of the visa this year. He will also meet with the Federal Minister for Agriculture, the Hon David Littleproud this month for further discussion, along with the Shadow Minister for Agriculture the Hon Julie Collins MP.
Citrus Australia has been asking grower members to urgently write to the PM to support implementing the visa this year, in a trial format. Please check your inbox for this ‘call to action’ email. You can also download and edit our pro-forma here.
Membership
You are not logged in
If you are not already a member, please show your support and join Citrus Australia today. Collectively we can make big things happen.