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  • 6 minutes ago
Queensland businesses say backpackers are already leaving the state almost two weeks after the federal government announced changes to the working holiday visa system. Some backpackers say they wouldn't have done regional work if they knew a third year would be so difficult to secure.

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00:02Rocco Roseri has been frying in this can's kitchen for six months now.
00:09The Italian is hoping to qualify for a third year visa to stay in Australia.
00:14The goal was to get these days to apply the visa.
00:18But under the federal government's proposed migration changes, his future is uncertain.
00:23Probably I wouldn't have even done this six months of working, that is a lot,
00:27to not even get the opportunity to stay here.
00:32Backpackers wanting to stay for a third year will now enter a ballot system
00:36with only one-sixth of the spots compared to last year.
00:40That leaves 5,000 places down from 31,000.
00:44Without those visas, crops wither on the vine and beers don't get poured in pubs right across the state.
00:52Far North Queensland businesses who rely heavily on backpackers
00:56are reiterating calls to reverse the decision.
00:59Across all three hotels, 45% are working holidaymakers.
01:03We've had some second year working holidaymakers leave already.
01:06For some of these can's businesses, up to 90% of their staff are working holidaymakers.
01:12They fear they won't be able to replace those departing backpackers with locals.
01:16If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
01:19The backpacker visa system is not broke.
01:21The Minister has said we will stay flexible and we will monitor the outcomes.
01:25The
01:30You

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