Yes, I know Blaze Aid will be affected too according to the article.

Whether you agree or disagree with this decision it will also have a detrimental effect on farmers.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-13/budget-2015-backpacker-tax-may-affect-overseas-worker/6467042

brickies wrote:

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Some times I think the people that come up these ideas don't get out and about and research the issue and real impact on everybody ~~~SNIP

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Gday...

Do you really think so Terry       

Cheers - John

John yes Farmers have big problem getting Australian to harvest there crops in Queensland and northern territory ,In Stanthorpe , mareeba,Bowen and Lockery Valley the place is full of Backpacker hand picking our crops ,Childers another place when they had the hostel fire the farmer were scared the backpaker would not come back and be left with no one to pick there crop , Last year when in Darwin was told the same story , Put your hand up if you know a vegs or fruit picker .

I probably agree with all the sentiments here, however, I also think the problem started when the scheme started. Once upon a time, and most here are old enough to remember, young people used to hit the road and work their way around Australia getting a fair wage. Then we allowed cheap imports putting pressure on our farmers, the farmers had to combat this or go out of business thus the need for cheap workers. 457 and 417 visas took away many employment opportunities for our own. Just this week I saw a group off Asians working on laying NBN cable on the Central Coast NSW. Don't tell me there aren't enough unemployed people here to carry out this work.
It is time the Governments, both sides looked at these visas, the importation of cheap produce and training our young through the ADF as they used to. I am sure there is enough decent young people out there who would love the opportunity to work.