Farmers in Mallee will have direct access to department and labour hire industry representatives at the Sunraysia Seasonal labour Expo organised by the Seasonal Worker Programme representatives for Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd of October.
Dr Anne Webster, Member for Mallee today welcomed the Sunraysia Seasonal Labour Expo saying “It is important that there is direct communication between growers and the departments and support agencies that can help provide the workforce that is needed.”
“The initiative for this expo is about the Commonwealth Government working directly with farmers to collaboratively find the right people, with the right skills, in the right place for harvest. The expo has come directly from the stakeholder meeting we held with the departments in Swan Hill” Dr Webster said.
“At the recent consultations held in Mildura and Swan Hill, the departments took clear messages from growers and their representatives. One was that communication between Government departments and growers regarding visas and Labour force had not been as clear as it could be, which had resulted in confusion.”
“I’m pleased the departments have worked quickly and collaboratively with stakeholders on the ground to put together the Seasonal Labour Expos in our region” Dr Webster said.
“I have worked tirelessly on this issue since being elected, and it is good to see solutions are being worked on by multiple departments. The Government is aware of the critical risk to our industry and community and is focussed on solutions for our industries.”
“I welcome the active participation of our local Councils in the expos and know they are committed to work constructively towards positive outcomes,” Dr Webster said.
The expo offers producers the opportunity to be clear with departments about the number of workers they require.
“One thing is clear; the number of workers needed varies from farmer to farmer. The departments will rely on farmer’s indication of labour force requirement.”
The Seasonal Labour Expo will be held in Euston/Robinvale at the Euston Club on Monday the 21st of October from 4pm and in Mildura on Tuesday the 22nd of October at the Quality Hotel Mildura Grand from 4pm.