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Victorian including Gippsland farmers' livelihood at risk while worker deal is stranded on Premier's desk

The Labor government is putting the agricultural sector into crisis, dismissing famers' calls for help.

By news@gippsland - 25th August 2021 - Back to News

Daniel Andrews is refusing to sign off on an extension to a seasonal worker deal with Tasmania, as workforce shortages leave Victorian farmers facing ploughing millions of dollars of fresh produce into the ground.

If the government continue to deny the worker shortage issue, and fail to give it the urgent attention it demands, consequences could happen like unnecessary loss of crops and hardship on the economic recovery

Calling for immediate action

Farmers have been calling for immediate action to solve the shortage for more than 12 months, but Victoria has done little to fix the problem. Yesterday, the Federal Government confirmed a special agriculture visa to streamline entry into Australia will open by the end of September, with States and Territories responsible for quarantine arrangements.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh said there were currently 430 people in the Pacific Islands with approved visas who were ready and waiting to jump on a plane to work on local farms. "While Daniel Andrews is peacocking around laying blame at the feet of anyone but himself, Victorian farmers are desperate for a solution to this crisis," Mr Walsh said.

"Progress towards a solution is sitting on the Premier's desk - it has been for more than two weeks - but Daniel Andrews is so obsessed with his petty political vendetta against the Commonwealth that he's refusing to sign off."

Farmers' call for help dismissed

Yesterday, Daniel Andrews arrogantly dismissed Victorian farmers' calls for help, claiming Victoria didn't have responsibility for quarantine and that the Commonwealth was just "handballing it to State Governments who are apparently in charge of quarantine".

But in March 2020, Daniel Andrews and other Premiers agreed, "Designated facilities [to quarantine international travellers] will be determined by the relevant state or territory government, these requirements will be implemented under state and territory legislation and will be enforced by state and territory governments".

Putting agriculture in deeper crisis

Mr Walsh said, "The Andrews Labor Government's obstructive grandstanding and hands-off approach is only forcing Victoria's agriculture sector deeper into crisis. Extending the deal with Tasmania is only part of the solution - the initial 1500 seasonal workers are just a drop in the ocean compared to what's actually needed to end the uncertainty for our primary producers."

"There were an estimated 15,000 workers that were needed in horticulture alone, not to mention the worsening shortage for our grain growers and livestock producers. This isn't a new problem - Daniel Andrews and his Agriculture Minister have had more than 12 months to find a solution to get workers on-farm but they still have no plan out of this mess.

"The least the Premier can do for Victorian farmers is sign the paperwork that's been sitting on his desk for more than a fortnight to get the ball rolling on delivering workers our farmers desperately need."

Pictures from Agriculture Victoria Facebook page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Martin Cameron is pressing the Victorian government over delays affecting Latrobe Magnesium’s commercial project, warning investment and hundreds of Latrobe Valley jobs could be lost.
• Darren Chester congratulates Maffra student Jaxon Marshall on National Youth Parliament selection representing Gippsland in Canberra
  Maffra Secondary College student Jaxon Marshall will represent Gippsland at the 2026 National Youth Parliament, earning praise from Darren Chester for bringing regional and agricultural perspectives to Canberra.
• Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates
  Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities.
• Bass Coast Shire Council urges state government to act on urgent on Western Port Woodlands protection controls before caretaker period
  Bass Coast Shire Council has urged the Victorian Government to introduce interim protections for Western Port Woodlands, citing significant biodiversity values and seeking action before caretaker provisions begin on November 3.
• Darren Chester says growers and industry groups are concerned Labor's visa processing pause is creating uncertainty for farmers
  Australian farmers warn delayed visa processing for seasonal and skilled workers could worsen labour shortages, disrupt harvests, reduce food production and push fresh produce prices higher for Australian families.
• Carran Carran restoration project strengthens river health, habitat connectivity and flood resilience across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland CMA's long-term Carran Carran restoration project is improving river health, reducing flood-related avulsion risks, restoring habitat connectivity, controlling willows and supporting native fish, agriculture and communities.
• The Nationals and Liberals promise tougher sentencing, specialist criminal appeal court, greater transparency for Victorians
  The Nationals and Liberals pledge tougher sentencing, a specialist Criminal Appeal Court and greater transparency, including Children’s Court data, to restore confidence, strengthen accountability and address Victoria’s crime crisis.
• Tarwin River partnership launches six projects for catchment restoration and community stewardship across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland CMA has launched Together for the Tarwin, funding six projects over 18 months to restore wetlands, waterways and habitats while strengthening community stewardship across the Tarwin catchment.
• Darren Chester says Labor's national firearms buyback unfairly targets law-abiding regional firearm owners instead of addressing crime and security
  Nationals representatives Gemma Rendell, Darren Chester and Bridget McKenzie joined East Gippsland firearm owners in Bairnsdale, opposing Labor's buyback and further restrictions while supporting lawful firearm use in regional communities.
• Nationals introduced Bill to protect Victoria's agricultural land from poorly planned development and improve food security
  The Nationals introduced a Victorian bill to protect agricultural land from poor development, recognising farming's $22 billion contribution and supporting long-term food security.
• Melina Bath honours Colin "Stocky" Stockdale for 63 years of outstanding CFA service to South Gippsland community
  Melina Bath congratulated Colin "Stocky" Stockdale on receiving the CFA's highest honour, recognising his 63 years of leadership, mentorship and dedicated service protecting South Gippsland communities.
• Regional Development $750,000 investment expands employment and education support for 120 Latrobe Valley young people through 2028
  The Victorian government is investing a further $750,000 in the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Program, supporting 120 young people with employment, education, training and independence opportunities through 2028.