Published Thursday, 10 April, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Minister Boyle: Age barriers on working holiday visas should be removed
Queensland’s key industries could face economic downturn if a solution is not found to the increasing shortage of skilled labour, Queensland Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle announced today.
Ms Boyle said she has written to the Federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship appealing to him to consider a proposal to remove the age barrier from working holiday visa provisions.
“Currently holiday visas are only available for 18 to 30 year olds who meet certain conditions,” Ms Boyle said.
“With Queensland industry sectors experiencing labour and skills shortages, having working holiday visas only for 18-30 year olds is self-defeating.
“Why discriminate against older generations when in fact many of these people have the skills and qualifications and experience to help Australia’s key industries.
“How good would it be if you were a baby boomer who has worked hard all your life, whose children have grown and now, when you have a bit of money in your pocket you are given the chance to holiday and work in Australia for 12 months.
“There may well be some thousands of baby boomers around the world who would jump at the chance,” she said.
Ms Boyle said that unprecedented numbers of young Australians are heading overseas on working holidays and leaving behind holes in the workforce. Removing the age barrier to these visas may correct this imbalance.
“I have met key industry representatives in the major growth regions of Queensland and they all tell me that the biggest challenge they currently face is the labour shortage.
“We need to ensure that our key industries are growing towards employing future generations of Queenslanders.
“The harsh reality is that we may need international workers to, at least temporarily, fill the gap.
“Our industries are facing highly competitive world markets.
“One way to support them may be through removing the age restrictions currently on holiday visas,” Ms Boyle said.
Examples of labour shortages in Queensland include:
• Resorts in the Whitsundays need hospitality staff
• Rail and train construction companies in Maryborough require metal fabricators
• An abattoir in Charleville needs meat processors
• Regional Queensland hospitals need doctors, nurses and other health professionals
• Central Queensland and the Bowen Basin needs engineers and skilled trades people
Media contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
10 April 2008
Ms Boyle said she has written to the Federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship appealing to him to consider a proposal to remove the age barrier from working holiday visa provisions.
“Currently holiday visas are only available for 18 to 30 year olds who meet certain conditions,” Ms Boyle said.
“With Queensland industry sectors experiencing labour and skills shortages, having working holiday visas only for 18-30 year olds is self-defeating.
“Why discriminate against older generations when in fact many of these people have the skills and qualifications and experience to help Australia’s key industries.
“How good would it be if you were a baby boomer who has worked hard all your life, whose children have grown and now, when you have a bit of money in your pocket you are given the chance to holiday and work in Australia for 12 months.
“There may well be some thousands of baby boomers around the world who would jump at the chance,” she said.
Ms Boyle said that unprecedented numbers of young Australians are heading overseas on working holidays and leaving behind holes in the workforce. Removing the age barrier to these visas may correct this imbalance.
“I have met key industry representatives in the major growth regions of Queensland and they all tell me that the biggest challenge they currently face is the labour shortage.
“We need to ensure that our key industries are growing towards employing future generations of Queenslanders.
“The harsh reality is that we may need international workers to, at least temporarily, fill the gap.
“Our industries are facing highly competitive world markets.
“One way to support them may be through removing the age restrictions currently on holiday visas,” Ms Boyle said.
Examples of labour shortages in Queensland include:
• Resorts in the Whitsundays need hospitality staff
• Rail and train construction companies in Maryborough require metal fabricators
• An abattoir in Charleville needs meat processors
• Regional Queensland hospitals need doctors, nurses and other health professionals
• Central Queensland and the Bowen Basin needs engineers and skilled trades people
Media contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
10 April 2008