Illegal worker amnesty: WA pursues reprieve for undocumented workers

Federal Ag Minister David Littleproud says an amnesty for undocumented workers needs “deep consideration”, as Western Australia becomes the first state to publicly back the idea.

An amnesty could allow undocumented workers to come forward without fear of being deported to help the country’s agricultural labour shortage. Picture: File

STATE governments will continue pushing the Commonwealth for an amnesty of illegal farm workers, as Western Australia becomes the first to publicly back the proposal.

It comes as the Federal Government could be weeks away from making a call on the controversial idea, as Deputy Nationals Leader David Littleproud warned it needed “deep consideration”.

The Weekly Times reported exclusively last week that Mr Littleproud, as Federal Agriculture Minister, had committed to explore options for an amnesty at the request of his state counterparts initially led by Victoria, as a way to potentially address the nation’s agricultural labour shortage.

New data released this week showed farmers will be short up to 26,000 casual workers by March, putting the coming seasons fruit and vegetables harvests in jeopardy. Meanwhile, estimates say put the number of undocumented workers in the country between 60,000 and 100,000, many of whom work on farms.

WA Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the state was advocating for an amnesty following requests from industry.

“We know there are undocumented workers on farms in WA and across the country,” she said.

“The pandemic offers us a unique opportunity to deal with this issue – an amnesty may help to deal with labour shortages by legitimising undocumented workers, while helping to put industry on a more sustainable footing.”

Several state government sources told The Weekly Times Mr Littleproud had this week written to advise an amnesty was not being considered.

But on Friday, Mr Littleproud told media a decision would be made in coming weeks.

Mr Littleproud said he had been working through issues surrounding illegal workers — including national security concerns — with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and Immigration Minister Alan Tudge, and investigations were underway by multiple agencies.

“To provide an amnesty without due diligence is dangerous and it shows that the states just need to cool their jets and understand that we are playing in a bigger sandpit that needs to really be understood before we make any decision around that,” he said. 

“There’s some complexity to this that needs to be worked through … and we’ll do that when we’ve got all the information and we can make a sound judgment predicated on our national security.”

This week, more horticulture groups have publicly supported an amnesty, while former Liberal MP Chris Crewther — who chaired the parliamentary inquiry into modern slavery that recommended an amnesty — encouraged the Federal Government to give it serious consideration.

Industry groups say while an amnesty may not boost the number of available workers, it would give a more accurate reflection of the number of workers needed.

An unofficial poll by The Weekly Times last week showed 79 per cent of readers supported an amnesty.

Ms MacTiernan said it was also important workers were protected from unacceptable workplace practices, pointing out many retailers now had codes of conduct prohibiting buying goods where illegal labour was used.

She will now write to Immigration Minister Alan Tudge to pursue the idea further.