Australia's farming industry wants Pacific workers
Updated
Australian farming organisations have urged the Federal government to go ahead with a pilot scheme to allow Pacific Islanders to come to Australia for short term seasonal agricultural work.
Farmers have told a conference in Sydney that labour shortages are so pronounced they are jeopardising planned industry expansion.
Radio Australia's Jemima Garrett says the National Farmers Federation told a Lowy Institute conference that its 2008 Labour shortage action plan confirms that Australian agriculture is short 100,000 workers.
It says 25,000 of them are needed in the horticultural industry.
Horticulture Australia has put a proposal for a 3 year pilot Pacific Island labour scheme to the Australian government.
Both organisations say they do not see such a scheme as a source of cheap labour.
Pacific Island workers would be paid full award wages, covered by workers compensation and provided with transport and good quality housing.
Horticulture Australia says agricultural organisations have learnt from the experiences of a similar scheme in New Zealand.
Australia's Immigration Minister, Chris Evans says the Australian cabinet will consider the issue this month.
Australia's Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd has promised to announce the results of his government's deliberations at the Pacific Islands forum in August.
