As your representative, Tourism Tropical North Queensland has been the voice of the tourism industry here in the Tropical North and for communities across the north in our fight to keep our vital Working Holiday Makers (WHM).
A wide range of possible solutions that will enable regional areas to have a stable and reliable workforce to drive productivity were discussed in Canberra last week by the Tropical North Queensland delegation led by Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith.
Meetings discussing the Federal Government’s proposed changes to the WHM visa program were held with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, Senator Murray Watt and representatives from the offices of Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell and the Chair of Joint Standing Committee on Northern Australia Marion Scrymgour.
Each of the options explored sought to address the following key industry needs:
- Fill critical roles, including filling the key language needs and relevant industry experience to meet consumer expectations;
- Flexible workforce to meet seasonal peaks;
- A stronger set of incentive for WHMs to work in the regions;
- Providing greater certainty to WHMs to want to stay and work in the regions.
Tourism, hospitality, marine tourism, accommodation and the business sector were represented and we welcomed the opportunity provided by our Federal representative to put forward the concerns of our region and discuss the significant roles that backpackers play in both our visitor economy and our workforce.
Tropical North Queensland was the first region to get in front of this issue, leading at a national level to discuss the WHM program and we are proud that our voices will be in the room as these policies progress. It is a complex issue that won’t be solved easily, but we approached the meetings with possible solutions, not just the problem.
Backpackers fill critical roles throughout the year and are essential to our workforce as agricultural and tourism seasons peak. They are one in five of our international visitors and we want to provide the certainty that TNQ is still a desirable place for WHMs to come.
Cheers,
Mark Olsen
Chief Executive Officer