VISA DELAYS THREATEN SEASONAL WORKFORCE

Farmers are warning delays to Working Holiday Maker visas could leave regional businesses short of workers ahead of harvest.

The Federal Parliamentary Rural and Regional Liberals say growers are increasingly concerned workers they expected to arrive may not receive their visas in time, or at all.

The concerns follow changes affecting applicants from 24 countries and a slowdown in processing, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirming in August that visas were being handled more slowly than previously.

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin says the Government needs to explain what has changed and how workers will be made available before harvest.

The Rural and Regional Liberals are calling for urgent action to give farmers and regional businesses greater certainty over their seasonal workforce.