'Deeply offensive' to suggest farmers 'prefer to abuse and exploit backpackers', NFF says
News Source
•Sat, 19 Sep 2026 07:40:34 +0000
📰 What Happened
Australia's biggest farming group is angry at comments by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. Burke suggested farmers could hire more workers from the Pacific instead of backpackers. The National Farmers Federation says his words were deeply offensive.
The NFF said it does not prefer backpackers so it can exploit them. It says Pacific workers are harder to hire because employers must arrange housing and transport, which costs more.
🔍 The Backstory
Backpackers on working holiday visas often help with harvests. Under the new migration rules, staying for a second or third year will mean entering a ballot. Second-year places will be capped at 45,000. Last year 57,000 people qualified.
The PALM scheme lets farmers hire workers from nine Pacific countries and Timor-Leste. The NFF warns worker shortages could push up food prices.
🎯 Why It Matters
Farm workers help put food on our tables. If farms cannot find enough pickers, shoppers could end up paying more.
Australia's biggest farming group is angry at comments by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. Burke suggested farmers could hire more workers from the Pacific instead of backpackers. The National Farmers Federation says his words were deeply offensive.
The NFF said it does not prefer backpackers so it can exploit them. It says Pacific workers are harder to hire because employers must arrange housing and transport, which costs more.
Backpackers on working holiday visas often help with harvests. Under the new migration rules, staying for a second or third year will mean entering a ballot. Second-year places will be capped at 45,000. Last year 57,000 people qualified.
The PALM scheme lets farmers hire workers from nine Pacific countries and Timor-Leste. The NFF warns worker shortages could push up food prices.
Farm workers help put food on our tables. If farms cannot find enough pickers, shoppers could end up paying more.