Obtaining seasonal pickers at harvesting time has been an on-going issue for the region’s fruit farmers and according to executive officer

of Riverina Citrus, Peter Morrish, the pilot is a step in the right direction.

“We definitely welcome the scheme,” Mr Morrish said.

“Over the last four to five years there have been a number of different programs put forward to help with the situation ... they have helped, but this (the guest worker scheme) will be more permanent.”

Under the three year pilot, 2500 workers from Tonga, Vanuatu, Kiribati and Papua New Guinea will be given temporary visas.

Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson criticised the scheme last week saying unemployed Australian’s should be used to fill the vacant positions.

“Why, when we’ve got half a million people still unemployed, do we have to bring in people from Pacific Island nations to do this work?” Dr Nelson said.

Federal member for Farrer, Sussan Ley also agreed that the scheme places Australia's unemployed and indigenous disadvantaged in the ‘too hard’ basket.

“I have great sympathy for horticulturalists who struggle to get workers and we do need to help them, but this is not the way,” Ms Ley said.

However, Mr Morrish played down the criticisms saying the workers will help lift the regions economy and ensure the long-term future of citrus industry.

“If there are so many unemployed, then why aren't they here being accessed now?” he said.

“There are jobs available now.

“The scheme will bring new people into the region so we can get good quality fruit to our region.

“It increases the community and will be a great boost to the regions economy.”

Member for Riverina, Kay Hull was also in favour of the scheme.

“My growers have been trying to source Australian labour for so long, they are almost on their knees through drought, and then they're expected to watch their crops rot because they are not able to access labour,” Mrs Hull said.

Mr Morrish said it is not yet known when the farm hands will commence work in the region.

Meanwhile, the guest workers scheme has been iscussed in Federal Parliament again this week.