00:02In the heart of Australia's food bowl, backpackers are a critical part of the workforce.
00:07If you are reliant on a pool of seasonal workers that suddenly wasn't there, the result could be catastrophic.
00:16But growers say they face an uncertain future, with the federal government announcing changes to working holiday visas.
00:23Our access to seasonal labour will be seriously compromised. It's not just seasonal labour.
00:29We have great difficulty in finding adequate staff for key positions within our workforce.
00:35Backpackers were once guaranteed a second year visa in return for 88 days of rural and regional work.
00:43Under the changes, they will have to enter a ballot to stay longer than a year, with fewer second and
00:48third year visas available.
00:51Backpackers say it gives them less incentive to work in regional Australia.
00:56So many people that I've talked to don't even want to do the regional work now, because it's like a
01:02lottery system.
01:03Farmers who rely on backpackers during the summer harvest are worried about worker shortages.
01:08Local business owners are also concerned about the impact of the changes on the town's economy.
01:14Backpackers are not only coming down for agriculture industry, but also they work in the cafes, restaurants, pubs, gym trainers,
01:23skilled workers as well.
01:26The impact could extend beyond the farm gates.
01:29We bring our home here, and then we make Griffith our home.
01:33It's not just economically, but it's a life that we bring.
01:37With an uncertain future over who will pick the food that ends up on people's tables.
01:42The impact are all the bad things.
01:44Not every single...
01:46A
