Temporary Visa Holders

In reply to the Hon. E.S. BOURKE (30 April 2020).

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade and Investment): I have been advised the following:

While the Department for Trade and Investment has not undertaken detailed modelling on the trade or investment impacts relating to fewer temporary workers, we do know temporary migrants generally play a minor supporting role in our export value chains.

A number of our temporary visa workers have been employed on a seasonal basis in trade focused agriculture, fishing and forestry—particularly in horticulture where 24,000 workers are needed in South Australia this year. Considering the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA has established a new jobs campaign for seasonal work to boost regional economies in this difficult time.

The Seasonal Jobs SA website has work opportunities such as fruit picking, vegetable packing, tree planting and more. Open to both temporary workers already here and local South Australians, this program provides jobs for those who have lost employment as well as securing a workforce for our regional communities.

The website is: www.seasonaljobs.sa.gov.au/