It appears there is not enough assistance for farmers in the regions to do seasonal work such as fruit picking. The backpackers visa expansion program could be the answer to the labour shortage.

Immigration Minister David Coleman is looking to entice backpackers from places such as India, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, Switzerland, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Andorra, Monaco and Mongolia.

General Manager of Workplace Relations for National Farmers Federation Ben Rogers admits it’s difficult to get Aussies to come out to the regions for this tough work.

“It’s a hard days work for a hard days dollar. They’re not necessarily interested in that work.

“We were looking at other programs and the backpackers program is the answer the Government as given us.”

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