Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton has slammed the Government’s decision to axe the Harvest Trail program.

This comes after the Federal Government halted funding for the Harvest Trail Services and Harvest Trail Information Service which helped link seasonal workers to regional jobs, effective as of July 1. 

The move was part of a cost savings exercise, according to the Government.

Mr Coulton said the decision would make it increasingly difficult to get food from paddock to plate by axing the crucial backpacker and worker program for farms.

“The Harvest Trail has helped connect farmers with thousands of backpackers and jobseekers during the harvest period, also helping both employers and employees get a background check, enabling confidence in both the job and the industry,” he said.

“In the Parkes electorate, the major agricultural industries are cropping – including grains, cotton, oil seed, lucerne and vegetables – as well as livestock such as cattle and sheep, in addition to some fruits.

“Each of these industries are reliant on seasonal workers, particularly during busy harvest periods when there’s generally more work and not enough people within our small communities to fill them. Seasonal workers help fill those positions such as driving tractors, picking fruit, handling grain, bug checking, shearing and more.

“It’s often not realistic for our farmers and agricultural companies to pay workers year-round when there isn’t always work available, which is why the seasonal workforce is so important,” Mr Coulton said.

Coulton predicts a big impact on this year's grain harvest. IMAGE: RDA Riverina

He predicts the winter grain harvest would be most affected by a reduction in seasonal workers.

“We saw the impacts during COVID when there were less backpackers in Australia and many farmers struggled to get their crops off.

The Harvest Trail provided background checks for both employers and employees which provided both parties with more confidence and peace of mind. 

“Finding and retaining workers in our rural and remote communities is challenging enough as it is, which is why the seasonal workforce plays such a crucial role in filling essential farm jobs,” Mr Coulton said.

“The less workers farmers can find, the less they can plant, or harvest, meaning families will pay more for their food at the checkout.

“The agricultural industry underpins the economy of nearly every town and community in the Parkes electorate and seasonal workers play a key role in that industry.”