Once again – another government move that forgets the poor-old farmers in rural communities.
Labor’s new Fair Trade deal with the UK will remove the the 88-day farm work clause for backpackers.
Without this requirement there would be little, if any, incentive for backpackers to come, let alone stay, working in regional communities, where the ag industry is suffering a critical workforce shortage.
I pushed for the following amendments:
(a) Provide evidence that the United Kingdom has requested this clause be omitted and provide evidence supporting the concerns regarding the backpacker on-farm workforce;
(b) Ensure a proper and thorough analysis is undertaken into the financial impacts to farmers and regional tourism economies as result of this clause being removed; and
(c) Deploy a highly specific advertising program in all major metropolitan centres focused on attracting backpackers to work on farms in regional areas”.
Both parties claim trade deal glory, Katter slams forgotten rural consequence