Gippsland farmers and regional tourism operators face severe workforce shortages ahead of the peak summer harvest and holiday season unless the Federal Government addresses mounting delays in skilled and working holiday visa processing.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has joined major agricultural and tourism peak bodies in demanding an immediate end to processing slowdowns under Ministerial Direction 119, warning the policy puts regional economies at risk.
In Federal Parliament, Mr Chester moved for the immediate reversal of changes affecting agricultural visas, the resumption of standard processing for Working Holiday Maker applications, and guaranteed prioritisation for seasonal regional workers.
“The Albanese Government has created more uncertainty for farmers, growers, tourism operators and regional employers at the worst possible time,” Mr Chester said.
“Peak summer harvest and tourism periods are not a surprise. They happen every year, and Australian farmers and regional businesses need certainty that they can access the workforce required to operate.”
The call is backed by peak industry bodies including the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), Accommodation Australia, the Tourism and Transport Forum, and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
NFF chief executive officer Mike Guerin noted that working holiday makers fill approximately one in seven farm jobs nationally, warning that unharvested crops will drive up grocery prices for families.
VFF president Ryan Milgate echoed concerns for Victorian producers heading into critical harvesting and milking cycles, stating that uncollected produce risks rotting in paddocks if labour shortages persist.
Accommodation Australia chief executive officer James Goodwin added that hospitality and lodging venues across tourism-heavy regions will be forced to cap capacity during peak trade without flexible seasonal staff.
Mr Chester urged the Federal Government to restore confidence in regional visa pathways before peak operations begin across regional Victoria.
