Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is pleased that the Federal Government has been able to deliver a new Ag Visa to provide a reliable workforce for agricultural industries across the Parkes electorate.

The Liberal Nationals Government has delivered a vital agriculture visa to help secure the future of rural and regional Australia.

The Agricultural Worker Visa will provide a long-term, reliable workforce for our critical industries while solving one of the great challenges facing regional Australia in recent history.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said he was incredibly proud to be a part of the government that has consistently fought for and delivered for regional communities.

“The agriculture visa will be in place by the end of September 2021, with the full implementation of this demand-driven visa complete within three years,” Mr Coulton said.

“The visa will be open to applicants from a range of countries and will be available to skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers.

“This will greatly assist the cropping, beef, dairy, wool and horticulture industries across the Parkes electorate as they manage and plan out their future workforce needs.

“We’ve listened to our communities and our industries, and this is what they’ve asked for. This will also help keep our next generation in communities across the Parkes electorate knowing that the future of regional Australia is bright and prosperous.”

Deputy Leader of the Nationals and Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud said the agriculture workforce shortage has been a major issue during COVID.

“While our farmers and industries have gone about their work keeping Australians and the world fed and clothed, they have done so under workforce constraints,” Minister Littleproud said.

“With the changes to the Working Holiday Maker program following the UKFTA, the Government knew this was the time to put the agriculture visa in place.

“This is a structural change to the agricultural workforce. It gives our farmers a confidence to know they can go and plant a crop and know that they’ll be able to get it off.

“It will complement the Pacific programs we have got in place, and we will also be considering permanent residency options under the new Ag visa.”