Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud and Labor opposite number Joel Fitzgibbon faced off in a debate at the National Press Club last Wednesday.
While both men vying for the portfolio after the May 18 election expressed support for addressing labour shortages, the future of an agricultural visa remains unclear.
An internal Coalition brawl could be looming after Mr Littleproud joined Nationals leader Michael McCormack in backing the visa.
That’s despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s argument the government has met workforce shortages through extending existing programs, removing the need for a visa.
‘‘We already have one. It already works that way. This is just a semantic discussion about titles,’’ he said in March.
Mr Littleproud said Mr Morrison was ‘‘on the journey’’ to establishing a new visa category.
‘‘I am a believer in an ag visa and I know the PM wants to move towards it,’’ he said.
Mr Fitzgibbon admitted Labor didn’t have a fixed position on the visa but said workforce issues were the second most pressing issue for agriculture.
‘‘There’ll be a policy. No-one can tell me what an ag visa is,’’ he said.
He said the concept needed a fresh approach with flexibility and possibly re- entry for overseas workers.
‘‘We have to act and we have to act very, very quickly,’’ Mr Fitzgibbon said.
‘‘With all the resources of government, they haven’t been able to provide the answer but I’m determined that if given the opportunity, we will.’’
Mr Littleproud said it needed to be approached carefully with immigration and worker exploitation concerns addressed.
‘‘You have to do it in a calm way that we protect Australians but also get the fruit off when we need it,’’ he said.
Mr Fitzgibbon said the government hadn’t established a new visa despite being in power for almost six years.
He pointed to the New Zealand model as a guide for what Labor may do if elected, with industry, government and unions working together.
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