NSW-Victoria border closure: What the tightened rules mean for agriculture
Some clarity has been provided on the rules around agricultural workers crossing the NSW-Victoria border, under tightened restrictions. But a vital part of ag’s workforce is forbidden.
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FARMERS, shearers, vets can continue to cross the Victorian-NSW border – but seasonal workers on temporary visas are flat-out banned.
Confusion reigns for agriculture along the border, with vital harvest workers banned from crossing the Murray River from today despite the sector being classified a critical service.
Citrus growers say the NSW Government’s snap decision to ban seasonal workers on temporary visas – the vast majority of whom are backpackers or Pacific Islanders here under the seasonal worker program – means crops will be left to rot unless it is quickly reversed.
It comes amid strict new rules governing the Victorian-NSW border closure as coronavirus cases in Victoria continue to climb.
From today, a tighter border zone extending just 2km either side of the Murray will be enforced, and new permits limited to border residents and critical services only.
In an email update yesterday afternoon, the NSW Department of Primary Industries confirmed agriculture remains a critical service: “Individuals working in these industries undertaking agriculture and forestry services, including veterinarians, agricultural contractors and shearers, can apply for a permit to cross the NSW-Victorian border.”
Any agricultural workers that do cross the border will have to self-isolate when not working, or limit contact only to people in their household.
Seasonal workers are expressly forbidden. No explanation has been provided for the decision.
The Weekly Times has confirmed seasonal workers include Working Holiday Maker, Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme visa holders, as well as any person engaged in primary production who is a temporary visa holder.
SHOULD SEASONAL WORKERS BE ALLOWED TO CROSS THE BORDER? Have your say in the comments below.
The Weekly Times has sought further comment from the NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes did not respond directly when asked if Victoria had been consulted on the changes, but said she working to clarify the new orders.
Citrus Australia chief executive Nathan Hancock said the seasonal worker ban came in the middle of harvest, which sees hundreds cross the border daily.
“There is no justification to ban seasonal workers as they do not pose a greater threat than anyone else working in agriculture,” he said.
“Seasonal workers have been expressly forbidden from crossing the border to pick fruit on farms where they have been working for weeks.”
Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh called on Ms Symes to ask for an urgent meeting of the nation’s ag ministers to address the issue.
“The COVID crisis has also seen many overseas backpackers return home and ongoing restrictions on international travel into Australia will mean no new overseas workers coming into our country,” he said in a statement.
“Border closures have hamstrung the movement of the seasonal labour workforce and our farmers’ ability to get their produce harvested on time.”
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