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Bringing in backpackers is not the right way to get more workers onto farms

Written by Stephen Howes, Director, Development Policy Centre, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University

The prime minister appears to want to make it easier for backpackers to work on Australian farms.Shutterstock

Suddenly, getting workers onto farms is a top political priority.

Over the weekend, and again in parliament on Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced plans to get more backpackers working on farms.

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