Victoria and Tasmania have entered a partnership to return Australians and fly in seasonal workers which will see Victoria’s farms receive the workers they need without impacting on the Tasmanian seasonal worker program.
Premier Daniel Andrews said that under the deal, an initial 1,500 workers from the Pacific Islands would undertake quarantine interstate before arriving in Victoria for harvest work on farms.
“The Tasmanian Government will quarantine workers from the Pacific Islands in Government-designated facilities over the first half of 2021, with costs borne by the Victorian Government and agricultural industry,” Mr Andrews said.
“In return, the Victorian Government will facilitate Tasmania’s commitment towards getting Australians who are overseas home, which currently stands at 330 travellers,” he said.
“Upon completion of the 14-day quarantine period and with a confirmed negative test for coronavirus, workers will be transferred on flights to Victoria, managed by the Victorian Government.”
Mr Andrews said the repatriated Australians would undertake their 14-day quarantine arrangements in Victoria’s hotel quarantine system.
“The costs of this will be borne by the Tasmanian Government, with all necessary approvals and logistics to facilitate the arrivals to be finalised in the coming weeks,” the Premier said.
He said Victoria would also undertake a cost-sharing arrangement with the agricultural industry for the quarantine of workers, so that expenses were not completely shouldered by farmers.
Mr Andrews said the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions, and Tasmania’s Department of Premier and Cabinet would work together to establish the logistics of getting workers onto farms and invoicing.
