Australian working holiday visas are essential says ATEC
April 29 2009 by Bryan Palmer
The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has urged the government not to cut the number of working holiday visas on offer to young backpackers who want to work in Australia.
Backpackerson working holiday visas are the only part of the Australian tourism market that has not been affected by the economic downturn, in fact the numbers have increased this year. As a result, the Australian tourism industry would suffer greatly if the Australian visas were limited, says ATEC.
The concern follows news that the government is considering putting the number of working holiday visas to counteract growing unemployment in Australia. In addition ATEC claims that working backpackers create 8,000 full-time local jobs for Australians each year.
The ATEC managing director, Matt Hingerty, speaking at a conference in Darwin said, “we are drawing a line in the sand and saying to governments hands off, and that there will be an uproar from the industry if they consider it.”
He added that working holiday visas are a great way to encourage educated foreigners to move to Australia, boosting its economy. He says “with the ageing population comes a narrowing tax base so we need immigration and the right sort.”
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