Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I hear the heckles of those opposite. I don't know why they're opposed to us supporting councils with additional funds so they can employ people locally and keep the money in the town, but that's our policy.

I was also asked about other things we're doing to support the work that is being done by farmers to get the fruit off the vine as we go into the harvest season. We said there are three things we are going to do. First of all we want the agricultural producers to log their job requirements with the official service which registers this, which is, of course, the National Harvest Labour Information Service—1800062332. You can do it online as well. We need to know where the jobs are, when they start and how much they pay so we can get Australians into those jobs. If Australians won't do those jobs then they'll be in breach of their social security requirements.

Australians should not be collecting the dole when there is work available for them on farms in Australia. Where there are shortages we will make sure that the Pacific Labour Scheme and the Seasonal Worker Program, with our Pacific island partners, fill the gap. On top of that, for the next harvest the backpacker visa arrangements will be modified to ensure we can fill that gap. We have a plan to ensure we get the fruit off the vine during the harvest. The Labor Party wants people to turn up and pick up the dole even when they're not working and there's work available.

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