Mildura flagged as a quarantine base for seasonal farm workers
Mildura has been floated as a possible quarantine base for up to 150 seasonal workers coming from Pacific Island nations to work on Victorian farms. Here’s why.
MILDURA has been flagged as a potential quarantine base for up to 150 seasonal workers who could arrive in Australia from the Pacific Islands.
Nationals Leader Peter Walsh is working on the proposal with horticultural industry groups as a means of securing enough farm workers in Victoria to fill a critical shortage left by an exodus of backpackers and seasonal workers in Australia since March.
Mr Walsh said Mildura airstrip was big enough to accommodate large aircraft, which could allow the industry to circumvent the Federal Government’s cap on international arrivals that is counted at major airports such as Sydney and later Melbourne, when international travel resumes at Tullamarine.
“I think it can be done quite simply. Why can’t a specific facility be built in Mildura? If you put 150 people on a plane, then into a quarantine facility every two weeks, you quickly build up a supply of labour,” Mr Walsh said.
“This is not just an issue for this summer but for a number of years. This is about investment over a number of seasons.”
He said discussions were underway about whether there were motels in Mildura that could accommodate the workers safely, but said a dedicated facility co-funded by industry and the state government would be best.
In a Rural Press Club webinar today Australian Fresh Produce Alliance chief executive Michael Rogers said the issue of securing farm labour come summer had become critical.
“We’ve been talking about it since March. It’s getting very difficult for growers. We need urgency from the government to implement solutions,” Mr Rogers said.
He said the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland had developed pathways for farmers to source workers, but Victorians were forced to wait until the state government handed down its hotel quarantine inquiry in November for clarity on quarantine arrangements.
“If we look nationally, Victoria is where I’m most concerned. We need to take more action. From our perspective, what’s been key to unlocking it (labour) has been proactive decisions from state and territory governments to enable industry to manage their destiny. At the moment we’re hamstrung because we can’t get those decisions,” Mr Rogers said.
Agriculture Victoria acting chief executive Matt Lowe said he was confident Victorian farmers would have enough workers when they needed it. “I’m not going to downplay the challenge but I’m really confident. This is the top priority for my department and my Minister, this is the number one issue for us,” he said.
MORE
WILL $6K IN INCENTIVES LURE AUSSIES ONTO FARMS
‘No one knew it was coming’: Tongala cow abattoir shuts
The livestock industry and local community have reacted to Greenham’s closure of its Tongala cow processing plant.
Victorians want to feel guilt-free about eating meat
Research – to guide a Victorian Government-funded pro-agriculture campaign – has revealed how consumers feel about the state’s farmers and what issues need to be addressed.