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
Indonesia and Hong Kong Free Trade Agreements welcomed
10/10/2019
The Australian Chamber is pleased the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) has recommended the Parliament ratifies Australia's free trade agreements with Indonesia and Hong Kong....
Positioning Australian tourism for future growth
10/10/2019
The Australian Chamber-Tourism urges the Coalition Government to reduce visa application costs for working holidaymakers in order to continue to grow Australia's multi-billion dollar international...
ACCI urges banks pass on full interest rate cut
1/10/2019
The Australian Chamber is urging banks to pass on today's interest rate cuts in full in order to boost consumer spending, encourage businesses to invest...
ACCI joins VET stakeholder committee
26/09/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pleased to participate in the newly established Vocational Education and Training Stakeholder Committee, announced by Skills Minister Michaelia Cash...
Focus on Indian visitor economy
24/09/2019
The Australian Chamber - Tourism supports the Morrison Government’s focus on the fast growing Indian visitor economy. At the 25th annual World Routes Conference, held in...
ACCI supports Mondelēz appeal
16/09/2019
Mondelēz International has the full support of ACCI in its decision to seek to appeal a Federal Court ruling on the calculation of leave entitlements...
Senate decision to protect small business welcomed
16/09/2019
ACCI welcomes the clear decision of the Senate to defeat the disallowance motion put forward by Labor, seeking to remove the Fair Work Amendment (Casual Loading...
Opportunity missed in Tourist Refund Scheme report
10/09/2019
The National Audit Office’s report on the Management of the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) has missed an opportunity to highlight the poor user experience of...
Industrial sentiment slows in latest survey results
10/09/2019
The September quarter results of the Australian Chamber-Westpac Survey of Industrial trends, released today, shows a slowing in manufacturing business growth. “The Westpac-AusChamber Actual Composite...
Modest increase in apprenticeship commencements gives hope for future growth
5/09/2019
The modest increase in commencements shown in today’s Apprentices and trainees data for the March quarter 2019 by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research...
The future holds promise despite slower growth figure
4/09/2019
The Australian Chamber expects that, with the right policy settings to encourage business and measures already in place, the economy will pick up despite disappointing economic growth...
Learn new trade rules to avoid risk
2/09/2019
New rules for interpreting trade terms used by importers, exporters, lawyers, transporters and insurers across the world will be released in Australia via national workshops...
ACCI appoints new Chief Economist
27/08/2019
[caption id="attachment_6823" align="alignright" width="300"] Dr Ross Lambie[/caption] The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Ross Lambie as...
Spotlight on Vocational Education & Training
26/08/2019
Today the country celebrates the important contribution Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) makes to the economy and to the lives of everyday Australians, with...
Business Events Bid Fund Program changes welcomed
16/08/2019
Australian Chamber-Tourism, the peak body of Australia’s tourism organisations, welcomes changes to the Government’s $12 million Business Events Bid Fund Program announced today by the...
VET reform welcomed by Australian Chamber
9/08/2019
The Australian Chamber welcomes the news our country’s Vocation Education and Training (VET) sector will have a reform roadmap by early 2020, following the Council...
COAG Call to action on skills
8/08/2019
The Australian Chamber is calling on the country's political leaders to agree to reform our vital Vocation Education and Training (VET) system, to deliver the skills...
Small business deserves a fair go in Fair Dismissal Code
6/08/2019
The Australian Chamber backs the latest call for greater balance in the unfair dismissal system to better support small business owners trying to do the right...
Australian Chamber welcomes moves to cut red tape
5/08/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes today’s announcement that the Productivity Commission will focus on streamlining regulation in the resources sector. "The joint announcement...
Time to ensure unions obey our laws and heed our courts
23/07/2019
The Government has called time on union officials with deep pockets, arrogant attitudes, and combative lawyers thumbing their nose at our laws, our courts and...