Victorian farmers react to new state worker permit scheme

Victorian farmers are now required to give themselves the green light to work on their own properties. Here’s what they think of that.

Gippsland farmer Dannielle O'Loughlin says the new state government authorised worker scheme needs to be reviewed. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Farm owner-operators are required to give a bureaucratic tick of approval to their own work under a new authorised worker permit system.

The permits, introduced to curb unnecessary person-to-person interaction during Victoria’s latest coronavirus outbreak, were implemented by the state government last week.

However, farmers have expressed frustration that they need to sign off on permits for themselves and family members, even though they always work from home.

Gippsland farmer Dannielle O’Loughlin said the government website to download the permits was unwieldy and time consuming.

“I’ve had to issue permits to myself, my husband and my children — even though we’re all working from home at the moment and always work from home in any case,” the Berrys Creek farmer said.

“When it comes down to it, it’s unnecessary paperwork. We’re not going to argue the point, because you’re risking a huge fine. But surely, there’s a better way?”

On-the-spot fines of up to $1817 for individuals and up to $10,904 for businesses can be issued by police to anyone who does not comply with the permit scheme.

Representatives from the Victorian Farmers Federation met with State Government officials several times last week to work through the practicalities of the scheme, which was implemented only a few days after an announcement from Premier Daniel Andrews.

“We know the current system is frustrating for farmers, however we need to demonstrate our industry is doing its bit to halt and reduce the spread of COVID19 across the state,”

VFF president Emma Germano said.

“The VFF continues to relay all feedback received to Agriculture Victoria to help ensure the smoothest possible process in these difficult circumstances.”

“At this point, we need to do everything in our power to ensure can continue to operate and unfortunately that means continuing the inconvenience of abiding by a permit system.”

A State Government spokesman said any authorised worker, including a farmer, now requires a permit to work on-site including sites owned by workers. The spokesman said sole traders must issue the permit and sign the permit as both the employer and employee.

Opposition agriculture spokesman Peter Walsh said the government had yet to properly clarify farmer responsibilities under the scheme.

“Farmers rightly want to see it in writing that they have the authority to sign off on their workers’ permits - without risking thousands of dollars in fines,” he said.

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