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Department of Agriculture

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  1. Home
  2. Agriculture and land
  3. Farming, food and rural support
  4. Agricultural Workforce Working Group and Agricultural Workforce Forum

Sidebar first - Farming

  • Farming, food and rural support
    • Drought, disaster and rural support
      • Future Drought Fund
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          • APVMA Board and Other Improvements Bill 2019
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Agricultural Workforce Working Group and Agricultural Workforce Forum

Agricultural Workforce Working Group

The tripartite Agricultural Workforce Working Group (the Working Group) was convened by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, for the purpose of tripartite engagement on workforce issues. The Working Group was comprised of the Australian Government, employer groups and unions.

Between its establishment in October 2022 and its final meeting in September 2023, the Working Group pursued solutions to attract, skill, protect and retain workers in agriculture and processing sectors.

Key achievements included:

  • influential advocacy for fee-free TAFE courses in agriculture, the Food Supply Chain Capacity Study, and the Ag Trade Apprenticeship Project
  • agreeing to principles underpinning labour hire licensing for consideration of the Commonwealth Minister of Employment and Workplace Relations
  • representing the needs of the sector in key processes such as the Migration Review and the Employment White Paper.

In the final Working Group meeting on 15 September 2023, the Working Group agreed to continue tripartite engagement through an Agricultural Workforce Forum.

Communiques were published after each meeting of the Working Group. Read the Working Group communiques.

  • Senator the Hon. Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
  • Andrew Metcalfe AO, Secretary of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
  • Fiona Simson, President, National Farmers’ Federation.
  • Michele O’Neil, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions.
  • Richard Shannon, Executive Officer, NFF Horticulture Council.
  • Dan Walton, National Secretary, Australian Workers’ Union.
  • Ann Gardiner, National Council Member, Australian Dairy Farmers.
  • Tim Kennedy, National Secretary, United Workers Union.
  • Patrick Hutchinson, CEO, Australian Meat Industry Council.
  • Matt Journeaux, Federal Secretary, Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union.

The group was facilitated by James Flintoft, a board director and former senior executive in the Victorian Department of Agriculture, with years of experience in the public sector and development space.

Public policy specialist and former chair of the National Agricultural Labour Advisory Committee of John Azarias also acted as a special advisor to the Minister on this Working Group.

Agricultural Workforce Forum

The tripartite Agricultural Workforce Forum (the Forum) succeeds the Working Group, continuing its work in finding solutions that address workforce issues in the agriculture and processing sectors.

In addition to all previous members of the Working Group, the Forum welcomed the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance as a new member. The Forum is chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

The Forum met for the first time on 20 November 2023 and will meet quarterly on an ongoing basis.

  • Senator the Hon. Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
  • Adam Fennessy PSM, Secretary of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (chair).
  • David Jochinke, President, National Farmers’ Federation.
  • Michele O’Neil, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions.
  • Richard Shannon, Executive Officer, NFF Horticulture Council
  • Paul Farrow, National Secretary, Australian Workers’ Union.
  • Ann Gardiner, National Council Member, Australian Dairy Farmers.
  • Tim Kennedy, National Secretary, United Workers Union.
  • Patrick Hutchinson, CEO, Australian Meat Industry Council.
  • Matt Journeaux, Federal Secretary, Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union.
  • Clare McClelland, CEO, Australian Fresh Produce Alliance.
  • John Azarias, independent public policy expert.

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Page last updated: 18 December 2023

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

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