Worker crisis: NT farmers back Fed’s new ag visa plan

Northern Territory farmers have backed the ­federal government’s plan for an agricultural visa.

NORTHERN Territory farmers have backed the ­federal government’s plan for an agricultural visa that will allow people from ASEAN countries to work on Territory farms.

NT Farmers Association chief executive Paul Burke said the visa would make it easier for farmers to recruit workers who were willing and ready to contribute to farm operations.

Mr Burke said that the NT had a shortage of 2000 farm workers and while farmers across the Territory applauded the decision to ­implement an agricultural visa, he warned that it would not solve the massive workforce crisis the industry faced this year.

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‘The agricultural visa provides farmers with another option to help solve the crippling workforce shortages that affect our farms, particularly during harvest season,” Mr Burke said.

“Current workforce initiatives such as the Pacific Labour Scheme and the Seasonal Worker Program are important to the industry, but this agricultural visa will allow the industry to tap into a much larger labour pool.

“Farmers are committed to employing Australian staff although, additional workers from overseas are needed to help fulfil all our workforce roles.”

Mr Burke said his association had strongly advocated for an agricultural visa, but the immediate problem that needed to be addressed was the season ahead.

“With the mango season just a few months away, and no quarantine arrangements in place to secure workers from overseas, farmers will struggle to harvest mangoes this season,” Mr Burke said.

He said NT farmers were calling for the Commonwealth and NT governments to urgently secure a quarantine facility in north Australia for the industry.

“Failure to secure the ­facility will result in higher food prices and a potential shortage of certain fresh food products for Australians,” Mr Burke said.

“It will also cause enormous emotional and financial stress for our growers.

“The livelihoods of Australian farmers depends on the ability to access quarantined workers for the summer harvest,” he said.