Farmers calls for backpacker program to stay
Industry bodies are calling on the federal government to not cancel a program encouraging backpackers to work in the regions.
The federal government is reviewing it’s regional migration program and has flagged scrapping the 88 day incentive, which sends backpackers to work on farms if they want to extend their visa.
A report by the National Farmers Federation, Backpacker and Youth Tourism Advisory Panel, and the Australian Tourism Export Council, shows the program attracts more than 200 000 workers each year.
Rural Reporter Emily Minney spoke with NFF President David Jochinke about the benefit of backpackers working in the regions.