The National Farmers’ Federation is calling on the Federal Government to urgently restore timely Working Holiday Maker visa processing and consult affected industries before making further changes, warning every day of uncertainty is putting more pressure on farmers, regional communities and food supply.
With Federal Parliament returning this week, the NFF and some members will be in Canberra to brief decision makers on how disruption to the program is already being felt on the ground.
Australians who want to show their support can sign the petition calling on the Government to protect Working Holiday Maker backpacker visas.
NFF President Hamish McIntyre said Working Holiday Makers were an important part of the workforce mix that keeps farms safe, productive and able to get food and fibre to market at an affordable price.
“Working Holiday Makers fill around one in seven farm jobs nationally and are especially important in peak periods, including harvest, planting and intensive production systems like dairy and horticulture,” Mr McIntyre said.
“Farmers are telling us workers they expected to arrive have not arrived, crops still need to be harvested, cows still need to be milked and the workload is being pushed onto fewer people.
“That creates serious health and safety risks and unnecessary liability. Some farmers are already working longer hours because of the workforce gap, and that is not sustainable or safe option.”
Mr McIntyre said the timing could not be more serious, with each day of slower processing or paused lodgements moving farms closer to winter grain crop and summer harvests without certainty about whether they will have the workers they need.
“If farms cannot access workers at the right time, the consequences do not stop at the farm gate. They flow through local businesses, regional economies, supply chains and ultimately all Australian at the checkout,” Mr McIntyre said. “What agriculture needs now is immediate clarity, restored processing and genuine consultation before any further reforms are made.”