Speaking during an ABC live politics blog this afternoon, Nationals leader Matt Canavan sought to reassure the tourism and agriculture sectors that a future Coalition government would “absolutely not” target the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program in any forthcoming migration compact with Labor. The statement comes as cross-party negotiations over student and family-visa settings appear to be stalling. Industry bodies had raised alarms after reports that the Coalition was open to temporary-visa cuts in exchange for housing-supply concessions. Backpackers on WHM visas contributed an estimated $4.3 billion to regional economies last year, filling critical gaps in harvest and hospitality workforces still recovering from pandemic shortfalls. Canavan emphasised that “regional Australia depends on backpackers” and that any bipartisan deal must preserve agricultural labour pipelines. His pledge gives growers and tourism operators a measure of certainty as they finalise workforce rosters for the 2026-27 summer peak. Mobility advisers should note, however, that other visa subclasses may yet face new caps or English-language thresholds. Employers reliant on subclass 417/462 holders should continue to monitor bilateral quota negotiations—particularly with the UK, India and Vietnam—where expansions could offset reductions elsewhere in the system.
