Australia
WA Premier criticises federal Labor visa changes
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook has criticised the federal Labor government over its proposed changes to backpacker visas.
Western Australia's Premier has openly criticised the federal Labor government over its proposed changes to backpacker visas, highlighting a growing policy division between the state and federal branches of the party.
According to reporting by The Australian, the WA Premier has voiced strong opposition to the federal visa policy adjustments. The federal government's planned changes to working holiday maker visas have raised concerns about the availability of temporary workers, particularly in regional areas that rely heavily on backpackers for seasonal labour.
While the specific details of the Premier's objections and the exact timeline of the federal changes have not been fully confirmed, the public disagreement highlights ongoing tensions between state resource-based economies and federal migration policy. Western Australia has historically relied on working holiday visa holders to fill critical workforce gaps in agriculture, hospitality, and tourism.
The federal Labor government has been reviewing various visa programs, including those that require backpackers to undertake specified work in regional areas to secure visa extensions. Critics of these programs have previously raised concerns about worker exploitation, while regional employers argue that the visa requirements are essential for securing seasonal staff.
The public stance by the WA Premier represents a rare public clash between state and federal Labor leaders, who usually seek to resolve policy disputes behind closed doors. It remains unconfirmed how the federal government will respond to the Western Australian Premier's criticisms, or if any exemptions will be carved out to appease the state's industries.
We will watch to see how the federal immigration minister responds to the criticism from Western Australia in the coming days.
This report draws on original reporting by The Australian.
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