Tuesday, 22 June 2021 11:14

Learn from the Aussies

Written by  Milking It

OPINION: It seems the Australian Government has realised how serious the labour shortage issue for its agriculture sector.

A new agriculture-specific visa will be established between Australia and the United Kingdom, allowing people to work on farms in either country. Australian media reports say there will be no age restrictions on the visa although it is not clear yet how long the visas will be valid for or when it comes into place.

Aussie farmers have been lobbying for a specific visa to recruit more people to milk cows and harvest crops. However, despite NZ farmers lobbying hard for extra overseas workers, the NZ Government has only given border exemptions in dribs and drabs. Time they took a leaf out of the Aussie book.

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