Ban on interstate agriculture workers hammered

The decision by the WA Government not to adopt a policy to allow in workers from interstate to fill thousands of job vacancies across the agricultural sector has been branded as “very disappointing” by an industry advocate. But WA Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the code was “unlikely to have much benefit to WA growers” as the Eastern States faced similar labour shortages. The State was one of only three to turn down the National Agricultural Workers’ Code at National Cabinet on September 4, which if adopted, would have allowed the movement of critical agricultural workers across domestic borders. WAFarmers chief executive Trevor Whittington slammed the move, claiming the State Government’s handling of the situation would not be effective in addressing the jobs crisis. “It’s very disappointing,” he said. “NSW is the only State that seems to be able to get the balance right. “We need 1000 machinery drivers — header, truck and chaser bin — and the veggie guys...there’s 7000 of them.” He said 500 truck drivers were also needed to cart grain for harvest. Ms MacTiernan said the State’s “full focus” was on mobilising West Australians and temporary residents to fill jobs, and funding several free training courses and the Jobs in WA Food and Ag program connecting job seekers and employers, which she said more than 11,000 people had registered for. “While there has traditionally been some movement of overseas seasonal workers in the north, interstate movement is not a major source of labour in WA,” she said. “We know there is already a shortage of workers in the Eastern States, meaning the agricultural workers’ code is unlikely to have much benefit to WA growers.” In a bid to entice West Australians to take up agricultural jobs in the regions, the State Government launched a $3 million accommodation and travel support scheme as part of its Work and Wander out Yonder campaign. It includes $40 a night in accommodation rebates for up to 12 weeks as well as up to $500 for travel. But the advertisement released to spruik it — which includes imagery of surfing in Margaret River, going to the pub in Exmouth and paddleboarding in crystal blue waters along the southern coast — paints an “unrealistic” picture of working in the agricultural industry, according to Mr Whittington. “It’s totally unreal,” he said. “It looks like it’s been put together by tourism people. I don’t think you’re going to have a lot of time to go surfing in Esperance over summer or climbing Bluff Knoll. And the reality is, sitting in a brand new John Deere — air-conditioned and self-steering — it’s probably a long way from the sort of job you’re likely to be offered. “You’re vastly more likely to be offered a job picking melons in Kununurra.” Traditionally taken up by backpackers, he said unemployed West Australians on JobSeeker and JobKeeper payments did not have the same motivations to take on the jobs. “To be picking vegetables in WA and you’re from Sweden or Canada, you have self-selected yourself out of millions,” he said. “And of the backpackers that come to Australia... a very small percentage put their hand up to go picking and stick it out.” “So we’re going to encourage someone whose got a social security system — ‘cause these backpackers have no alternative way of getting money — goes surfing down the beach and they’re getting paid JobKeeper or JobSeeker... or waiting around for a job offer... packing shelves and they can hang out at the beach all day.” With harvest looming, Ms MacTiernan said they had recognised the need for more skilled labour in a timely manner, introducing a free broadacre harvest operations course at Northam’s Muresk Institute and running a number of free TAFE courses. She said they had also urged the Federal Government to “come on board” and provide further support to attract workers to the regions.