Nationals force Labor to honour Ag Visa with Vietnam

Nationals force Labor to honour Ag Visa with Vietnam

The Hon David Littleproud MP

Leader of The Nationals

5 September 2022

Regional Australia can look forward to welcoming a wave of migrant workers from Vietnam as the Minister for Agriculture again confirms the Labor Government will honour the Australian Agriculture Visa agreement.

Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said the Government has tried to keep the news quiet as it takes them out of step with their political masters, the AWU.

“This is good news for the growers and producers in this country who are currently suffering as a result of the workforce shortage,” said Mr Littleproud.

“The Nationals have been calling for further clarification on the arrangement and I’m pleased that the Minister has stood up to the Union and again confirmed they’ll honour the agreement.

“The Ag Visa agreement with Vietnam offered a demand driven, uncapped number of workers with a pathway to permanent residency.

Mr Littleproud said there was an opportunity for more countries to participate in the Visa and he called on the Government to pursue these further.

“I welcome this recommitment and call on the Government to now push on and provide an update for interested applicants as soon as possible,” said Mr Littleproud.

“It is a sad moment for the AWU. They spent a lot time intentionally trying to sabotage this process and have said they would do so again.

“I congratulate the Minister for defying his Union masters.”