Seasonal worker boost to offer some relief to WA growers, but is it too late for this year's harvest?

The West Australian Government has announced its horticultural industry will be able to access more foreign workers to relieve labour shortages, including around 300 Vanuatu workers picking mangoes in the Northern Territory. Key points: The WA Government says farmers will be able to access seasonal workers from the NT to relieve labour shortages Horticultural growers welcome the announcement but say it comes too late for many this year The State Government says they will also allow greater movement of critical ag workers from interstate Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the new measures would allow growers to access the Federal Government's Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme, subject to strict conditions to protect the health and safety of the WA community. "With backpackers unable to come to Australia due to the Federal Government's international border closures, allowing growers to access the Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme will help to ensure we can fill critical labour shortages in our primary industries." Mr Menzel said in recent years, farmers in the Ord Irrigation Scheme had relied heavily on workers from Timor Leste who were more "reliable" and "motivated" than the backpacker workforce. The State Government said it would also allow for greater movement of critical agricultural workers from interstate — subject to usual isolation and quarantine requirements.