Working holiday visa changes threaten regional Labor seats, analysts say

Changes to Australia’s working holiday visa system are creating uncertainty for seasonal workers and businesses in regional areas, while political analysts warn of possible consequences for Labor. Italian backpacker Rocco Raseri completed six months of work as a chef in Far North Queensland and expected to qualify for a third-year visa. However, the number of available places has fallen from about 31,000 last year to slightly more than 5,000.

Raseri said he might not have undertaken the regional work if he had known a further visa was not guaranteed. He said he could instead have sought sponsorship in a capital city. Backpackers are an important source of labour for tourism, agriculture and hospitality in Far North Queensland.

Raseri’s experience has raised concerns that other workers may leave or avoid regional areas if they cannot rely on extending their visas. Australian National University political marketing expert Andrew Hughes said the policy posed a significant challenge for Labor MPs in regions that depend on working holiday-makers. He identified Queensland’s Leichhardt electorate, held by Labor’s Matt Smith, as particularly vulnerable, along with regional seats in the Northern Territory, Western Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales.

James Cook University political scientist Maxine Newlands said regional MPs needed to offer community-led solutions rather than simply oppose the policy. She warned that labour shortages could return if workers stopped coming to the regions. Smith said he was consulting tourism and agriculture bodies in Cairns and would take proposed solutions to Immigration Minister Tony Burke.

He said the existing scheme was not attracting enough workers and suggested expanding the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility programme. The debate comes as One Nation has increased its support in Queensland, according to polling cited in the report, adding to pressure on Labor in regional electorates.