The number of Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers in agriculture has fallen by more than 20 per cent, from 21,915 in July 2023 to 16,705 workers in September 2024.
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the Senate Estimate figures revealed Labor’s changes to the PALM Scheme Deed and Guidelines in July 2023 made the scheme unworkable and had failed farmers.
One major change was going to force a paid minimum of 30 hours a week, every week.
The government backflipped in May 2024 to enable 120 hours to be guaranteed but averaged over four weeks until July 1, 2025.
There is still no certainty for farmers or industry going forward what the rule will be.
Mr Littleproud said as a result of Labor not understanding the agriculture industry, with agricultural work being seasonal and weather-dependent, farmers had simply hired fewer workers.
“Labor’s changes to the PALM Scheme have been disastrous for farmers and industry because Labor made it unworkable and unrealistic,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The importance of the PALM Scheme to a thriving Australian agricultural sector cannot be overstated.
“Historically, the PALM Scheme has helped to fill labour gaps in rural and regional Australia by offering employers access to a pool of workers.
“When supply goes down, prices go up, so families are also feeling the impact of Labor’s changes to the PALM Scheme at the checkout.”
Shadow Minister for International Development and the Pacific Michael McCormack said the PALM Scheme allows Pacific and Timor-Leste workers to take up jobs in Australia, develop their skills and send income home to support their families and communities.
“Labor has been misleading about the consequences of its terrible changes to this important Coalition policy, saying there was ‘nothing to see here’ when that’s simply not the case,” Mr McCormack said.
“The money sent from Pacific workers in Australia to their families back home makes up a significant amount of GDP locally and is helping families and whole communities.
“It is contributing to raising standards of living and better health and education outcomes.
“A future Coalition Government will reinstate the Agriculture Visa, to bring in the workers our farmers need, which, in turn, will increase the supply of food for families at the checkout.”
