AustraliaThe AgeLabor pushes to boost Pacific quota as Joyce says some Australians ‘bung lazy’
Labor is pushing Pacific worker visas to fill regional jobs as it cuts 38,000 working holidaymaker places, with industries warning of serious economic damage.
One Nation’s Barnaby Joyce says backpackers should be quarantined from cuts because some Australians “are just bung lazy” and won’t do the same jobs.
Labor is encouraging regional businesses to hire Pacific migrants as it moves to cut 38,000 second and third year working holidaymaker visa places.
Tourism, farming and commerce groups warn the cuts could cost 11,000 regional jobs and wipe out $1.65 billion in visitor spending.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers defended the plan but acknowledged worker shortages in construction, care and seasonal industries are already a real concern.
Industry groups warn the changes could cost 11,000 regional jobs and wipe $1.65 billion in visitor spending, so regional businesses should plan their workforce now.
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