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Race on to find seasonal workers after backpacker tax resolution

Saturday, 3 Dec 2016 13:15:00 | Richard Baines

Farmers may look to local migrant communities to bolster seasonal workers. (James Jooste)

Primary producers across Tasmania are ramping up recruitment efforts after a final deal on the backpacker tax.

The Federal Government has secured a 15 per cent tax rate, after landing an eleventh-hour deal with the Greens.

Securing the deal for the Federal Government did not come cheap, with an extra $100 million for Landcare per year to be handed over to secure the Greens' support.

Tasmanian Poppy Growers chief executive Keith Rice said it was not too late.

"Had this decision not been made, farmers, fruit growers, vegetable growers, and the tourism industry in my view would've been facing disaster," he said.

"Our information just yesterday is that [growers] have been inundated with calls, particularly through the vegetable industry and through the berry industry, which is using labour at the present time."

Some growers had warned the uncertainty would lead to a mass shortage of workers for the upcoming season.

But time is ticking for growers to find staff.

Fruit Growers Tasmania's Phil Pyke said other workers may be required, potentially from the migrant community.

"We have a very vibrant community here and we want to use those people out in the orchards and they want to work the other party is international students," he said.

There was also ground given in the deal on superannuation, with the percentage that backpackers give up when they leave the country reduced significantly from 95 per cent to 65 per cent.

The deal brings to an end 18 months of debate over how to appropriately tax seasonal workers from overseas.

AustraliaPlus


 

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