Minister dodges migration modelling question eight times amid farmers’ fury
Australiatheage.com.au

Minister dodges migration modelling question eight times amid farmers’ fury

Labor's Employment Minister dodged questions eight times about whether the government modelled the economic impact of its new migration plan on wages.

Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said on Friday she was “not really able to comment” on what would happen to agricultural wages if there were fewer fruit pickers.

The Long Sip
What happened

Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth refused eight times on radio to say whether Labor had modelled the wage impacts of its new migration plan.

The detail

Labor plans to cut nearly 40,000 backpacker visas per year, aiming to reach a net overseas migration target of 225,000 by mid-2028.

What it means

The National Farmers Federation and the Coalition warn the cuts will push up food prices and hurt primary producers who rely on seasonal workers.

For you

Labor plans to cut nearly 40,000 backpacker visas per year, which the National Farmers Federation warns could raise food prices for shoppers.

Full story at theage.com.au

What readers are saying

indira1975
Rishworth's point about the safety net is worth unpacking: she's arguing backpackers aren't paid below minimum wage, but that sidesteps whether reducing their numbers will push wage pressure onto domestic workers or farms, which are separate questions.
Gordo
Eight times dodging the same question. That's not policy, that's theater.
StrathfielSoo
If you're in horticulture or hospitality, check what visa categories your business actually uses right now. The ballot system for second and third year visas is the specific change - 45,000 and 5,000 spots instead of 57,000 and 31,000. Plan accordingly.
GrandmaBrigid
What got me is Ben Seton-Stewart's orchard near Swan Hill already moved away from backpackers to labour-hire. That's the real story buried in there - farmers are already adapting, but they're saying seasonal workers spending money in local towns matters too. It's not just about the harvesting. ❤️

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