WIMMERA farmers and farm groups have given in-principle support for a proposal to allow unemployed people to work in agriculture without losing benefits.
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The scheme would see people earn up to $5000 working on a farm on top of CentreLink payments, with $300 government bonus for travelling more than 120 kilometres to work.
Member for Mallee Andrew Broad has backed the scheme, which was originally proposed by Nick Xenophon Team in exchange for the senate group supporting changes to the backpacker tax.
Mr Broad said it was a good idea’ because it the scheme would encourage more people to actively seek out and engage in paid work.
“True leadership comes not in sitting firm in a decision, regardless of changing circumstance but in listening to advice, consulting and having the courage to respond,” he said.
“This decision demonstrates our commitment to finding the best solutions for our country and being prepared to be adaptable in doing so.”
Victorian Farmers Federation president and Murra Warra farmer David Jochinke said he gut feeling was to support the scheme as long as it did not interfere with other employment programs.
“Anything that can help lift people off the social safety net, especially able bodied people who are able to work, is a good thing,” he said.
“It could help with people gaining skills.”
Mr Jochinke said he did not know how many people in the Wimmera might take part.
“I’m not sure how many people there are who have the skills and ability to work in farming but don’t for fear they’d lose their welfare,” he said.
Rupanyup farmer and Grain Producers Australia chairman Andrew Weidemann said the idea behind the scheme had merit but there needed to be training programs as well.
“Skilled labour is hard to find. In a season like this there is a lot to harvest and plenty of work going around but you need to find skilled labour,” he said.
Mr Weidemann said he was concerned that the government would place compliance costs on farmers.
“I wouldn’t want to see onerous requirements put on the employers,” he said.
“People are sick of dealing with the bureaucracy and red tape.”
Mr Jochinke said Centrelink should be the lead agency for managing the scheme.
“For this to fly, you have got to make it easy for for employer as well as the employee,” he said.
“The only extra requirement on the farmer should be to pay the proper rate.
“It should be the work of agencies such as CentreLink to track and report people in this scheme.”