Comments attributable to NFF CEO Michel Guerin:
“Migration policy should not be treated as a political football. This is about food security, keeping farms operating and ensuring food remains affordable for Australian families.
“We haven’t seen the detail of this proposal, but we know temporary workers help put food on tables, with backpackers alone filling roughly one in seven farm jobs nationally.
“They also spend millions in regional communities and generally stay in hostels, caravan parks or purpose-built on-farm accommodation. They are not the cause of Australia’s housing crisis.
“We have walked this path before during covid, when worker shortages contributed to fresh produce price increases of 15-25%.
“Any reform must involve genuine consultation with the industries affected.
“We acknowledge One Nation’s commitment to maintain existing seasonal worker programs, including PALM and the Working Holiday Maker program. These are crucial workforce pathways for the farm sector, and we would urge all parties to commit to protecting and strengthening them.”