Migrants help keep rural Australia alive, farmers say
Farming groups say skilled immigrants do not take jobs in Australia, but fill critical labor shortages, enrich cultural diversity and prevent the decline of country towns.
Conservative parties have called for caps on arrivals from overseas, while peak farming bodies have called for an inquiry to evaluate education campaigns on the essential role of skilled migrants.
queryThe organisation, which examines the economic, social and cultural value of skilled migration to Australia, will hear from farmers, small business groups and foreign affairs officials at a hearing in Canberra on Friday.
Dairy farmers rely on skilled workers, with more than 40 per cent of operations hiring overseas workers by 2024, according to a joint submission from Australian Dairy Farmers and Dairy Australia.
The presentation said public confidence could be strengthened with a clear message that skilled migration “supplements, not replaces, local workers”.
“Their presence reduces misunderstandings, strengthens social cohesion, fills local schools, contributes to community organizations, and sustains regional service economies.”
Skilled immigrants are also important for food security and the availability of fresh produce, the Australian Meat Industry Council said in its presentation.
Public awareness campaigns about the value of expatriate workers can be supported by community events to reduce misconceptions and help immigrants and long-term residents connect, the report said.
“A better understanding will help shift the narrative from a narrow focus on numbers to an appreciation of who immigrants are, what skills they bring and how they drive regional Australia.”
Labor is facing intense pressure from One Nation and the coalition to stop immigration to reduce demand for housing and services.
Measures announced in Tuesday’s budget showed that of the 185,000 places allocated for permanent migrants in 2026/27, more than 132,000 will be for skilled workers.
The budget document said visa allocations would put downward pressure on net overseas migration.
Anti-immigrant rhetoric has resurfaced in recent months.
Since the Bondi massacre in December, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has claimed that arrivals from overseas are linked to the breakdown of social cohesion.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has promised he will only allow those arriving that match the number of homes built the previous year.
A sustainable workforce is more important than where it comes from, a submission to the National Farmers Federation inquiry said.
It was noted that skilled immigrants often bring with them valuable international expertise and perspectives.
“Transmitting their culture and values can only benefit communities in regional Australia.”
Australia’s Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national news channel and has been providing accurate, reliable and fast-paced news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We inform Australia.
