Labor must fix the backpacker visa mess it has created for the Gold Coast tourism industry, as major Gold Coast businesses warn of shortages over the summer period.
Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said Labor needed to provide clarity on the backpacker visa situation for hospitality and tourism businesses, as thousands of tourism businesses warn they simply cannot get the workers they need.
“Labor must help our tourism operators, after Immigration Minister Tony Burke announced changes to the backpacker intake,” Senator Canavan said.
“Year two will cut the backpacker intake from 57,000 to 45,000 and year three will cut from 31,000 to 5,000. This is a cut in numbers over years two and three by more than 40 per cent.
“Labor has created this mess itself – now it must also fix it. So far, there is no clarity or explanation as to how our tourism businesses are supposed to cope over summer.”
Federal Member for McPherson Leon Rebello said Labor’s changes were set to decimate the tourism sector unless an urgent break-glass option was adopted.
“Backpackers are an essential part of the Gold Coast’s tourism and hospitality sectors, and they provide a critical role in helping businesses get through seasonal peaks when local workers aren’t available,” Mr Rebello said.
“For the Albanese Government to deliberately target this cohort is a disgrace.
“Labor’s working holiday maker changes would also harm the Gold Coast’s international reputation as a tourism destination, and act as a significant deterrent for backpackers by adding uncertainty into their visa conditions.
“The Gold Coast’s tourism industry has already endured a challenging year, which has been marred by federal funding cuts, public fuel anxiety, visa processing pauses and delays, high operating costs, and endless red tape.
“Slashing the Gold Coast’s backpacker intake will only make a difficult situation worse for Australia’s hardworking tourism operators. The Albanese Government must immediately step in to provide targeted support for this crucial industry.”
Federal Member for Moncrieff Angie Bell said the Gold Coast’s tourism industry could not afford further uncertainty ahead of its busiest period of the year.
“The Gold Coast economy is built on tourism, and our local businesses rely on a strong and reliable workforce,” Ms Bell said.
“Gold Coast small and family businesses are already under immense pressure, and cutting the pathway for experienced working holiday makers will only add to the strain as we head into the critical summer peak.”
Burleigh Pavilion manager Toby May said the venue relies heavily on backpackers and working holiday makers over the summer period.
“Summer is one of the biggest periods of the year for the Gold Coast, with thousands of visitors coming to the Coast to enjoy their holidays, and Burleigh Pavilion is incredibly busy throughout this period,” Mr May said.
“We have thousands of people coming through the venue each week, and having a strong team in place is critical to being able to deliver the level of service our customers expect during the busiest time of the year. Backpackers and working holiday makers play a really important role in our seasonal workforce.
“They bring flexibility and help us meet the significant increase in demand we see over the summer months. Any shortage of available workers over this period would put real pressure on hospitality businesses like ours, particularly when the Gold Coast is at its busiest.”
Australian Tourism Industry Council CEO Erin McLeod said the tourism industry welcomed the short-term help recently given to farmers, but wanted the same reprieve for tourism.
“We estimate the introduction of a ballot for second and third visas will result in a 70 per cent reduction — around 65,300 fewer backpackers travelling, working and spending in our regions,” Ms McLeod said.
“That equates to $1.65 billion in lost visitor spending and 11,000 regional Australian jobs at risk. This is not just the impact of fewer visas — it is the much bigger impact of backpackers choosing not to travel regionally because the ballot takes away the certainty that previously encouraged them to do so.”
