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Victorians will be offered a cash bonus of almost $2500 to pick fruit, but they will have to stick it out for at least six weeks to access the full amount.
The latest scheme to encourage domestic workers to take up jobs on orchards comes after the industry repeatedly raised fears about masses of fruit going to waste due to a shortage of backpackers and foreign seasonal workers.
The government estimates the cash incentive scheme for Victorian workers will cost $10 million.
Credit:Justin McManus
Victorians who take part in the new state government scheme would have to complete 10 days of work within a one-month period to receive the first bonus of $810. They would get a further $1620 after six more weeks of work, as long as it is completed within three months.
NSW’s Nationals Agriculture Minister says his federal colleagues’ demands for agriculture to be excluded from carbon targets is just ‘political point-scoring’.
Gypsum business in Rainbow reopens after losing income amid COVID lockdown confusion
MonMonday 15
FebFebruary 2021 at 4:59am
Albacutya Gypsum owners Paul and Emma Lester say they have lost $20,000 from this morning s closure.
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A privately owned gypsum pit operator in Rainbow has become a flashpoint for confusion around Victoria s five-day lockdown restrictions.
Key points:
A fertiliser centre in Victoria s north west was subject to confusion over whether it was an essential service under lockdown
The business owner says its temporary closure resulted in $20,000 in lost income
The Victorian Farmers Federation says it will exacerbate feelings in the region that the government has not had their backs
Victorian farmers battling workforce shortages will need to pay $2,000 towards the quarantine costs of each worker they bring in from the Pacific Islands.
Critical labour shortages on Victorians farms are creating a chain reaction of unpicked fruit luring fruit flies - and unprepared home gardens in Melbourne and beyond will be worst hit.