Queensland pushes for working visas for older visitors

The Queensland government is keen to have working holiday visas extended, so that experienced overseas visitors in their 50s can live and work in regional areas for up to a year at a time.

The State’s Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, Desley Boyle, has written to the Federal Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, asking Canberra to consider removing the age barrier from working holiday visas which are at present available only for 18 to 30-year-olds.

Ms Boyle said that in the current employment situation the limit was “self-defeating.

“Why should we be discriminating against older generations when, in fact, they not only offer skills and qualifications, but experience that could potentially help the nation’s key industries?” she asked.

“It would be a very good thing for Queensland businesses who are constrained.

“It would be a boost to our tourism industry.

“Maybe in our present condition, with businesses crying out for employees, a lot of people in their 50s might love to come to work and for their holidays”.

“There are hotels in the Whitsundays needing waiting staff and cleaners, train manufacturers in Maryborough needing metal fabricators, hospitals needing doctors and nurses, and mines in Mackay needing engineers.

“Something needs to be done now”, Ms Boyle said.