Labor must fix the backpacker visa mess it has created for the tourism industry, after forcing the National Farmers’ Federation to submit applications for backpacker visas during critical planting and harvesting seasons.
Federal Member for Parkes Jamie Chaffey MP said Labor needed to provide clarity on the backpacker visa situation, not just for farmers but for hospitality and tourism in the electorate of Parkes.
“The upcoming summer season is the busiest for the tourism industry, but thousands of tourism businesses simply cannot get the workers they need,” Mr Chaffey said.
“Labor needs to help our farmers, but it must also help our operators who run not only our tourism attractions, but motels, restaurants, cafes and a whole raft of other businesses.
“Immigration Minister Tony Burke has announced changes to the backpacker intake. Year two will cut the backpacker intake from 57,000 to 45,000 and year three will cut from 31,000 to 5,000. This is a cut in numbers over years two and three of more than 40 per cent.
“Labor has created this mess itself – now it must fix it. So far, there is no clarity or explanation as to how our tourism businesses are supposed to cope over the summer period.
“Australia’s tourism industry has already endured a challenging year, which has been marred by federal funding cuts, public fuel anxiety, visa processing pauses and delays, high operating costs, and endless red tape. Slashing Australia’s backpacker intake will only make a difficult situation worse for Australia’s hardworking tourism operators.”
Australian Tourism Industry Council CEO Erin McLeod said the tourism industry welcomed the short-term help for farmers, but wanted the same reprieve for tourism.
“We welcome the relief provided to farmers, but regional tourism businesses are facing the same seasonal workforce pressures and need the same certainty,” Ms McLeod said.
“We estimate the introduction of a ballot for second and third visas will result in a 70 per cent reduction — around 65,300 fewer backpackers travelling, working and spending in our regions.
“That equates to $1.65 billion in lost visitor spending and 11,000 regional Australian jobs at risk. This is not just the impact of fewer visas — it is the much bigger impact of backpackers choosing not to travel regionally because the ballot takes away the certainty that previously encouraged them to do so.”