Farmers, small businesses, tourism and hospitality operators in Wannon are warning they could be left without the workers they need for the summer harvest and holiday season unless the Federal Government urgently fixes delays in skilled worker and working holiday visa processing.

Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan, has been inundated with calls from businesses across Wannon that simply cannot get working holiday maker visa applications processed by the Department of Home Affairs.

“I am hearing that the Albanese Government seems to have slowed down the process of these visa applications which is placing critical pressure on businesses across Wannon.

“The Government must reverse the changes made under Ministerial Direction 119 and resume the normal processing of Working Holiday Maker visa applications for all affected countries, and guarantee that agricultural workforce visas will be prioritised in any future migration policy changes.

“The Albanese Government has created more uncertainty for farmers, growers, tourism operators and regional employers at the worst possible time,” Mr Tehan said.

“Peak summer harvest and tourism periods are not a surprise. They happen every year, and farmers and businesses in Wannon need certainty that they can access the workforce required to operate.

“Instead, farmers and regional employers are being left in limbo because visa processing has been deliberately slowed and access to critical workers is being restricted.

“We need a migration plan which works in Australia’s interest but Labor is going slow on essential workers with the skills we need. It has real consequences across Wannon where crops need to be picked, machinery needs to be operated, tourists need to be serviced, and businesses need staff to stay open.

“If growers cannot access workers when crops are ready, food production falls, supply chains are disrupted, and Australian families end up paying more at the checkout,” said Mr Tehan.

“Working Holiday Makers are highly valued workers, they are well motivated and mobile and able to fill workforce shortages where flexibility is needed to fill employment gaps.

“Without access to working holiday maker visas, businesses in Wannon cannot meet the seasonal demands for the workers that they desperately need.

“The Labor Government must explain how it will resolve the delays in processing these visa applications and clear the backlog so that Wannon businesses can get the workers they need,” Mr Tehan said.

ENDS

Media contact: Sandie Gustus M | 0408 564 232 E | sandie.gustus@aph.gov.au