A regional Queensland business has called for a tweak to working holiday visas to solve a “critical issue” with the workforce shortage while industry groups have hit out at the federal government’s plan to slash the state’s access to skilled international visas.

Consolidated Linen Service, a Hervey Bay family business that launders more than 400 tonnes of textiles each week and transports them over 25,000 kilometres, want to take on holiday visa workers similar to the access afforded to their tourism and hospitality clients.