Farmers criticize PM's plan to use job seekers instead of foreign workers on farms

Job applicants are being urged under a new Morrison government plan to work on the farms or face the loss of their welfare payments for up to a month.

Under the agreements, farmers can register their work, payment and conditions requirements with the National Harvest Labor Information Service and job providers will try to find local unemployed to fill the positions.

If job applicants do not have a reasonable excuse for not accepting work, they can reduce or withdraw their child support benefits for a period of up to four weeks.

"While addressing labor shortages, this also ensures that job seekers with the support of taxpayers have no excuse to turn down opportunities," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said of the plan.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is seen with Aquasun's director, Keith Webb, during a visit to Aquasun Produce in Murray Bridge, South Australia, on Saturday, October 13.

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However, the president of the National Federation of Farmers, Fiona Simson, criticized the government's push for "carrot and stick" to fill the agricultural work as a "superficial approach to a deep problem" and says that the industry has always asked for a dedicated agricultural visa.

"Many agricultural tasks are short-term or seasonal, and often these agreements are not attractive to local workers, who have ongoing financial commitments and longer-term career aspirations," said Simson.

The President of the National Federation of Farmers, Fiona Simson, at a press conference at the House of Parliament in Canberra

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The Prime Minister said that the Vice Minister of International Development, Anne Ruston, will work over the next few weeks to ensure that relevant changes are made to the Pacific Islands scheme.

Mr. Morrison also said he would work with the Minister of Immigration, David Coleman, on possible changes in the work vacation visa program.

The Labor Party also criticized the announcement, as Agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon called it a trick to distract from broken visa promises.

"The last thing the growers need is people who do not want to be there," he said.

"This is the kind that introduced a tax for backpackers."