MEMBER For Mildura Ali Cupper is hopeful ongoing lobbying will see the NSW Government back down on its ban on vias holders being allowed a permit to cross the border from Victoria for seasonal work.

Ms Cupper said she had spoken with Victorian Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes, who is handling the border restriction issue, and was hopeful Premier Daniel Andrews tabled the issue of seasonal workers at Friday’s National Cabinet.

There have been meetings ongoing over the past couple of days with industry and government representatives and it is hoped the outcome will be for a loosening of the restrictions which have the potential to be a major economic hit for the region.

As part of a tightening of its borders, the NSW Government this week announced visa holders were deemed a health risk and would not be eligible for a permit to cross the border.

“This was a complete over-reach by the NSW Government, which has not once said why visa holders were any bigger a health risk than anyone else,” Ms Cupper said.

“It showed a complete ignorance of the needs of the horticulture industry for the NSW Government to basically shut out visa holders from the workforce with the stroke of a pen.

“I have spoken extensively with Nathan Hancock from Citrus Australia as well as Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes after being inundated with calls from concerned farmers about this situation.

“I really hope common sense sees this restriction lifted immediately – it is a time sensitive issue. Our farmers need to get the fruit picked and packed now.”