Blunder out yonder — WA farmers slam McGowan Government’s ‘Work and Wander Out Yonder’ job incentive scheme

When the McGowan Government unveiled a $3 million scheme to attract West Australians to agricultural jobs, it expected farmers to view it as a welcome relief. Part of the Work and Wander out Yonder campaign, it was the Government’s answer to the looming seasonal worker shortage brought on by COVID-19 restrictions — particularly the hard borders. But the reception from farmers has been far from warm, with some slamming the decision to offer incentives to inexperienced and unskilled young workers. Getting inexperienced workers has never been the problem, farmers told the Observer this week, and the Government’s campaign could affect the productivity and safety of this year’s harvest. The Primary Industries Workers Regional Travel and Accommodation Support Scheme offers up to $3360 in accommodation rebates for workers. Premier Mark McGowan described it as “getting the backpacker holiday experience at home”. A promotional video for the scheme shows glamorous young women traipsing through an orchard and refers to a combine harvester as the “company car” of the Wheatbelt. The Government’s campaign overview sheds further light on the decision to describe a modern combine harvester as a “company car” “The company car, something that is often modest, bland and not very fun to drive,” it says. “Put the regional filter on and suddenly you’re piloting a tractor with 5400Nm of pulling power!” Farmers say they are worried the campaign does not give inexperienced workers an appreciation for the demanding and complex nature of harvest. WAFarmers Grains Council president and Esperance farmer Mic Fels said farmers were facing a worker shortage in what had already been a stressful year. “There are experienced farm workers interstate who are prepared to do self-quarantine who should be given a special exemption by the State Government,” Mr Fels said. “We’re an essential industry and we need people with experience at harvest time.” “There’s a whole bunch of really experienced, skilled people out there who can’t come in.” He laughed in disbelief when describing his staff arrangements for harvest. Mr Fels said he had put up a Facebook advertisement for harvest work which received 100 applications, including 90 with no farm experience. “We’ve got eight workers coming — one has lots of farm experience, one has some, and six are basically inexperienced, so three-quarters of my staff are in that situation where this will be their first time on a farm,” he said. “They’re all going to be operating heavy machinery in a fast-paced environment. “You know as a farmer, thinking about it is just frightening.” WAFarmers Grains Council vice-president and Williams farmer Mark Fowler said many people did not realise backpackers often had a level of farming experience. “While they may not have operated the same size equipment before, because they have worked on farms and operated machinery generally, they understand the key principles,” he said. “They appreciate the demanding and time-sensitive nature of what we do and, perhaps most importantly, they have an awareness of the inherent risks and dangers in farming.” Mr Fowler said many WA grain growers would have little choice but to consider less experienced labour options, such as family members. “This might mean crops are not harvested on time, quality and/or yield is lost, and machines are not properly utilised,” he said. “All will involve compromises in proficiency, efficiency and, potentially, safety.” Pingaring farmer Mark Garard said he would be looking to friends and family for help with this year’s harvest. “My experienced worker went back to England and now can’t return to Australia because of COVID-19,” he said. “I don’t want someone who thinks milk comes from a carton...who’s only come out so they can get their $3000 rebate. “Backpackers who come over to work seasonally know what they’re in for. “They come with incentives and they come primed, often with previous experience working in agriculture.” Mr Fels said inexperienced workers could be taught, but it came at a price. “They’re going to be operating highly technical 600hp machines that weigh 25 tonnes,” he said. “You don’t mind a few mistakes here and there, but when your whole team is inexperienced and making mistakes regularly it can get very expensive very quickly. It also affects productivity, and goes back to that occupational health and safety concern”. Mr Fels said the situation could be avoided if the Government made it easier to bring in experienced workers. “I feel like saying to the politicians get rid of all your staff and advisers and try run your office with a whole bunch of people who have absolutely no experience at the busiest time of year,” he said. “Then see how efficient your office is, because that’s the exact situation they’ve put us in.”