Tasmanian seasonal worker transport trial still only in the Huon

Primary Industries Minister Guy Barnett announced the pilot program for seasonal workers in the south on January 19. The program is funded by the state government but is run by Fruit Growers Tasmania.

Mr Barnett on Tuesday said the pilot had not yet been expanded to other regions but said an expansion to other regions was imminent.

"The transport pilot applies to the Huon and will be extended as soon as possible following feedback from industry," he said.

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Tasmania's fruit picking season hit its peak during January with the berry and soft fruit industries, but as the berry season winds up, apple and pear orchards will also require pickers to help harvest its crop.

Fruit Growers Tasmania proposed the transport pilot to help break down the barrier of getting local workers to farms.

Costa trialled a similar bus service during January, but the service was cut at the end of that month, due to dwindling use.

Mr Barnett said the Tasmanian Government was working hand-in-hand with the agricultural industry to ease the seasonal worker shortfall burden, which was exacerbated during the COVID pandemic, due to border closures.

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He said Tasmania's deal with Victoria to take its seasonal workers for quarantine in exchange for Tasmania's repatriation flight could benefit the state's farmers.

"We have arranged for the repatriation flights to go to Victoria, so the 1500 seasonal workers bound for Victoria will be quarantining in Tasmania, so the industry has an opportunity to access those workers if we need them," Mr Barnett said.