Consultation with Industry Meeting in Bunbury Monday 26 August 24 between 2:30 and 3.30 pm
Intro by Mark Scott, representing WA growers as APAL Director
Hi all, I hope pruning is going well, and you have had enough rain to fill your dams.
I appreciate that this is very short notice. Still, I wanted to alert you that the Department of Home Affairs is holding one-on-one consultations about employers using working holidaymakers. The most convenient consultation opportunity for our WA apple and pear growers to attend is below:
When: Monday, 26 August 2024
Where: Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Address: 1 Stirling Street, Bunbury
Time: 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
There is speculation that the current government may want to eliminate the 88-day work requirement for these visas. This could significantly impact the availability and cost of staff for our industry across the supply chain, impacting small and large farming businesses in many ways.
If anyone is interested in voicing an opinion by attending, I urge you to register at the Bunbury session to support the continuing requirement for these visas.
The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) Hort Council's position on these issues, including recommendations, is included in their discussion paper. APAL is making on behalf of the horticultural industry through the NFF Horticulture Council. submission details are here
See background information below:
Mark Scott
The regional Migration & Working Holiday Maker program - the Federal Government seeks your feedback! In-person forums on regional migration and the Working Holiday Maker program
The Department of Home Affairs is hosting in-person forums across Australia to discuss regional migration settings and the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program, a key priority of its Migration Strategy. If you have any questions about the event details, contact immiresearch@homeaffairs.gov.au
Australia’s reciprocal WHM program has fostered stronger links between young people from Australia and worldwide since 1975. It allows young adults to have a 12-month holiday during which they can undertake short-term work and study. The WHM program now includes over 40 partner countries or jurisdictions in two visa subclasses: the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa and the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa.
The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs is hosting In-person Forums across Australia to discuss regional migration settings and the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program, a key priority of its Migration Strategy.
Growers and other vital stakeholders nationwide are invited to provide feedback at these events. The In-person Forums are an opportunity to engage directly with Department of Home Affairs representatives.