Mango growers in the Northern Territory are concerned about visa changes

The federal government plans to introduce caps on the number of participants in the working holiday visa program who can stay in the country for longer than 12 months. The Northern Territory mango industry warns that the new measures will cause severe damage to producers, which could leave fruit unharvested on the branches@@T0@@.

Currently, foreign nationals can extend their visa after completing 88 days of specified regional work during their first year of stay. Although the number of first-year visas is not being reduced, concerns arise that travelers will abandon regional work, as it will no longer guarantee a second year of stay in the country due to the planned points-based system.

President of the Northern Territory Mango Industry Association Leo Skirlos described the idea of points as madness, linking the government's steps to a reaction against the growing popularity of the One Nation party amid immigration concerns. Orchard owner near Katherine Marie Piccone noted that apart from visa issues, the current year has already proved difficult due to a heavy wet season featuring floods, soil erosion, road damage, and fire threats. In her view, the visa cuts demonstrate the federal government's disconnect from regional business.

Northern Territory Opposition Leader Selena Uibo appealed to her federal Labor colleagues to make an exception for the region from the general rules, emphasizing the Territory's heavy reliance on working holiday visa holders.