Barilaro pledges NSW support for ag worker code

Ahead of a meeting of ag ministers on Tuesday, NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has called for the removal of restrictions for farm workers crossing the NSW/Victorian border as part of an ag worker code.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has pledged his support for an agricultural code that would allow farm workers free movement across the Victorian/NSW border. Picture: Rohan Kelly

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has pledged his state will support an agricultural code that would see farmers and pickers “seamlessly” cross the Victorian border.

Mr Barilaro and NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall signalled they would fight for the removal of restrictions on agricultural workers crossing the Victorian/NSW border at a meeting of agriculture ministers from across the nation on Tuesday, and again at the next National Cabinet meeting on Friday.

“We do this in the freight industry, there is no reason why we can’t do it for ag workers,” Mr Barilaro said this morning. What we would like to see in place is a code that allows us to make sure it’s as seamless as possible to make a workforce available (to farmers).

“The national cabinet was working at the start of this pandemic. If we fail this on Friday, we can hang our heads in shame,” he said.

“We cannot stand by and watch farmers, crops and businesses face ruin due to the border closure with Victoria. The situation is now at the 11th hour.”

The proposed Agricultural Workers Code that would allow for the free movement of agriculture so long as COVID-safe strategic were in place will be considered by agriculture ministers tomorrow.

Mr Marshall said without an easing of border restrictions for farm workers, Australians risked paying higher prices for fresh food and the possibility of a second round of food shortages at supermarkets.

“What we’re asking is not unprecedented. Freight was classed as crucial, if it’s safe enough for the freight industry, then it’s damn well good enough for ag workers as well. Without them we don’t get the crops off the paddocks or the fruit off the trees,” Mr Marshall said.

Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said it was unfair and stressful to expect agriculture workers to try and keep up with changing state border restrictions.

“Hopefully the NSW Deputy Premier and Ag Minister can convince their government to support the National Code we have been developing,” she said.

Late last week NSW backflipped on its tight border restrictions, announcing its border zone with Victoria would be relaxed so that residents can travel up to 5km away from the state boundary.

MORE

SA TO RETURN TO 40KM BORDER BUFFER ZONE WITH VICTORIA

BORDER CLOSURES: NATIONAL CODE FOR AGRICULTURE WORKERS