ACTU’s advocacy against Working Holiday Makers ignores the benefits
15 Jan 2019 | Media Release
Australia’s peak body of tourism organisations, Australian Chamber-Tourism, is concerned by reports today that the Unions would be applying strong pressure on a possible Labor Government to wind back the Working Holiday Maker Scheme.
Australian Chamber-Tourism Executive Chair, John Hart said, “the Working Holiday Maker Visa Program is not only a vital source of labour for the tourism sector, it is a vital source of tourism revenue, particularly in the regions.”
“Working Holiday Makers spend approximately two and a half times more than they earn, and create over 25,000 jobs in the Australian economy.
“The ACTU’s proposals to cap numbers and abandon the second year of the Visa totally, ignore the benefits of the program and the importance of Working Holiday Makers to regional economies.
“On average Working Holiday Makers spend over $10,000 per trip in Australia. Much of this spend is in regions, particularly for those Working Holiday Makers that are working toward their second year Visa.”
“Recent changes by the Government to increase caps in a number of Countries and add a third year to the Visa under certain conditions, acknowledge the importance of Working Holiday Makers to the economy. The ACTU are clearly blind to these realities.
“In a major migration statement, Migration Works for All of Us, released last month the Australian Chamber pointed out, the Working Holiday Maker is a key part of a total migration program that fits Australia’s particular need.
“The jobs Working Holiday Makers fill in regional Australia are often short term and seasonal, and there simply are not enough job seeking Australians who are willing to move for that type of work.
“Often the focus with the Working Holiday Maker Program is its importance to the agricultural sector, but for tourism, the program is as much about tourism spend as it is about supplementing the workforce. Any attack on the program would be a direct attack on Australia’s stand-out industry performer, tourism.”
Related News
Wage growth welcome, but challenges remain
20/02/2019
Australia’s largest network of businesses, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed new figures showing annual wage growth in the private sector is...
Unions must respect the Law when they enter work sites
15/02/2019
“Union officials wanting to enter employer premises must be subject to effective oversight and accountability and, like every other Australian, they must respect the law”...
Does the Senate support Small Business – or not?
15/02/2019
Australia’s largest voice for small business, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is urging the Senate not to recreate mass uncertainty for Australians who...
Vale George Polites AC CMG MBE (1918-2019)
12/02/2019
It is with great sadness the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry notes the passing of George Polites AC CMG MBE. Mr Polites was a seminal...
Australian Chamber welcomes Royal Commission report and calls for focus on the future
5/02/2019
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the Royal Commission’s final report into Australia’s financial services...
No time to relax on budget repair
1/02/2019
“With business sentiment wavering amid global economic uncertainty, now is not the time for the Government to relax its effort on budget repair,” James Pearson,...
Australian Chamber-Tourism Chair appointed to Tourism Australia Board
30/01/2019
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the appointment of Australian Chamber-Tourism Executive Chair, John Hart as...
Increase in the instant asset write-off a boost for small business
29/01/2019
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement today of an increase in the...
Steady growth in employment is good news
24/01/2019
The positive news delivered by the ABS Labour Force figures today is a welcome boost to business confidence, Australia’s largest and most representative business voice,...
Small Business top of agenda where it belongs
21/01/2019
The focus on small business in announcements today by the Federal Opposition has been welcomed by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry - the...
Business welcomes latest results from graduate employment and employer satisfaction survey
11/01/2019
An improvement in employment outcomes as well as an increase in employer satisfaction with higher education graduates shown in the latest national survey have been...
Australia right to look to the Indian Ocean, as well as Asia-Pacific, to secure our future
10/01/2019
Australia’s largest and most representative business voice, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes and supports the Australian Governments’ focus on the Indian Ocean...
Job Vacancies – The Facts
9/01/2019
In response to the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU)’s claims today that there is a “national insecure work crisis” which is a “national disaster”,...
ABCC crucial to maintaining the law and protecting workers and small businesses
9/01/2019
Workers and the businesses that employ them have every right to be seriously concerned at reported plans by Federal Labor to abolish the Australian Building...
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s New Year’s Resolution
28/12/2018
In this upcoming Federal Election year, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s New Year resolution is to convince the next Federal Government of Australia...
Employment story continues positive trend; enterprise agreements still delivering
20/12/2018
The largest and most representative network for Australian businesses, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has welcomed the reduction in trend unemployment, with the...
COAG Energy Council outcomes better reflect industry concerns - at last
19/12/2018
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has welcomed the COAG Energy Council’s recognition today of the importance...
Improvement in Budget bottom-line welcome
17/12/2018
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the improvement in the budget bottom line, announced by...
Australian Chamber Welcomes New Employment Report
14/12/2018
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the release of a Government report from the Independent...
Business mood cools but remains positive - survey results reveal
13/12/2018
The fourth-quarter results of the Australian Chamber-Westpac survey of Industrial trends, released today, show the outlook for Australian industry remains positive, but reinforces the need...