Talks with Indonesia to become a participating country in the Australian Agricultural Worker Visa have begun positively

On Thursday, Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud said this is a major step forward to relieve the workforce pressures that Australian farmers and our agricultural industries are currently facing.

“As one of our closest neighbours and trading partners, I am very pleased that Indonesia is eager to strengthen our relationship even further,” Mr Littleproud said.

The Ag Visa, which was created earlier this month, provides a pathway for Mallee producers to access the labour force they need.

Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster said that these talks were an essential step in seeing boots on the ground in Mallee farms.

“One of the greatest challenges to our agricultural sector is workforce shortage. The Morrison Joyce Government are doing all that is possible so that this is rectified as soon as possible.

“With these encouraging talks in place, we have taken another significant step to see workers come into the region,” Dr Webster said.

“I’m pleased to see that New South Wales will be allowing quarantine free travel for fully vaccinated workers from November 1 this year. I hope to see the Victorian Government follow suit soon.

“The Morrison Joyce Government have committed to bringing another 12,500 people into Australia through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme by March 2022, and expedited quarantine arrangements will help attract workers to Australia,” Dr Webster said.

The government is also in discussions with a number of other countries regarding their participation in the Visa.