Today I stood alongside some of our region’s key leaders to raise serious concerns about the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the Working Holiday Maker Visa program.
The message was clear: these changes will have real and damaging consequences for Far North Queensland.
Working holiday makers are not just visitors passing through our region. They are an essential part of our workforce and a major contributor to our local economy. Without them, many industries that our communities rely on would struggle to meet demand and continue delivering the services and experiences that make our region so strong.
The reality is that we simply do not have enough local workers to fill every available role across key sectors including tourism, hospitality, agriculture, aged care, trades and childcare.
Working holiday makers help bridge that gap.
They pick and pack our fruit during peak harvest periods. They welcome visitors to our region and provide tours in multiple languages. They work in our restaurants, cafes and hotels as chefs, hospitality staff, cleaners and receptionists. They help businesses navigate seasonal demand and keep local industries moving.
In a region like Far North Queensland, where tourism and agriculture are two of our largest economic drivers, this workforce is not a luxury. It is a necessity.
But their contribution extends far beyond filling workforce shortages.
Working holiday makers are also visitors who choose to spend their time and money in Australia. They travel throughout our region, support local businesses and contribute to the vibrancy of our communities. They bring new perspectives, cultures and experiences, enriching the places they temporarily call home.
Far North Queensland has long benefited from these connections. Our community is stronger, more diverse and more welcoming because of the people who choose to live, work and travel here.
That is why these proposed changes are so concerning.
Decisions made in Canberra may seem distant, but the impacts will be felt on the ground in communities like Cairns. Local businesses, primary producers, tourism operators and service providers are already facing workforce challenges. Reducing access to working holiday makers risks making those challenges even greater.
Regional Queensland cannot afford policies that fail to recognise the unique workforce needs of areas like ours.
If the Federal Government is serious about supporting regional Australia, it must listen to the people and industries that will be directly affected by these changes.
The voices of Far North Queensland deserve to be heard.
Because when it comes to proposals that threaten local jobs, local businesses and our regional economy, one thing is clear:
This policy is simply madness.
