Dear Industry,
Since our last update on 26 August, BYTAP has continued its advocacy regarding the current disruption to Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa processing.
There has been significant activity over the past fortnight, including direct engagement with Government and Opposition representatives, industry bodies, the agricultural sector and media. Encouragingly, there is growing recognition across both sides of politics of the importance of the WHM program and the need to address the current situation.
BYTAP’s recently engaged advocate, Simon Westaway, was in Canberra last week meeting with a number of key parliamentary offices and participating in broader industry advocacy. Feedback from these discussions was constructive, and we believe our concerns regarding the impact on tourism businesses, regional communities and seasonal workforces are being heard at senior levels.
Importantly, this is not an issue being raised by tourism alone. BYTAP continues to work alongside other peak industry organisations, including the National Farmers’ Federation, Tourism and Transport Forum, Accommodation Australia and others, reinforcing the significant role Working Holiday Makers play across tourism, hospitality and agriculture.
Media attention has also continued to build, with the issue receiving coverage across national and industry media. BYTAP representatives have participated in interviews and briefings, helping ensure the impacts on youth tourism and Australia’s international reputation remain part of the national conversation.
We are also continuing to provide Government with real world evidence from industry demonstrating the financial and operational impact of the current delays. Thank you to those businesses that have already shared their experiences with us. This information is proving extremely valuable in demonstrating that the consequences are immediate and significant.
What happens next
There are encouraging signs that the issue is receiving serious attention; however, until there is a formal announcement from Government, our position remains unchanged: we need to keep the pressure on.
If your business has been impacted, please continue to share examples with BYTAP. We also encourage businesses and individuals to contact their local Federal representatives and explain how the disruption is affecting their business, workforce, community or travel plans.
The petition to protect the Working Holiday Maker program continues to gain support, and we encourage industry to sign and share it widely.
We are at an important point in this campaign. The collective advocacy from tourism, agriculture and other affected sectors is being heard, and BYTAP will continue working closely with our industry and government contacts.
We will provide a further update as soon as there is something concrete to share.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement.
On behalf of the BYTAP Committee
Backpacker and Youth Tourism Advisory Panel
LATEST POSTS
Dear Industry,
Since our last update on 26 August, BYTAP has continued its advocacy regarding the current disruption to Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa processing.
There has been significant activity over the past fortnight, including direct engagement with Government and Opposition representatives, industry bodies, the agricultural sector and media. Encouragingly, there is growing recognition across both sides of politics of the importance of the WHM program and the need to address the current situation.
BYTAP’s recently engaged advocate, Simon Westaway, was in Canberra last week meeting with a number of key parliamentary offices and participating in broader industry advocacy. Feedback from these discussions was constructive, and we believe our concerns regarding the impact on tourism businesses, regional communities and seasonal workforces are being heard at senior levels.
Importantly, this is not an issue being raised by tourism alone. BYTAP continues to work alongside other peak industry organisations, including the National Farmers’ Federation, Tourism and Transport Forum, Accommodation Australia and others, reinforcing the significant role Working Holiday Makers play across tourism, hospitality and agriculture.
Media attention has also continued to build, with the issue receiving coverage across national and industry media. BYTAP representatives have participated in interviews and briefings, helping ensure the impacts on youth tourism and Australia’s international reputation remain part of the national conversation.
We are also continuing to provide Government with real world evidence from industry demonstrating the financial and operational impact of the current delays. Thank you to those businesses that have already shared their experiences with us. This information is proving extremely valuable in demonstrating that the consequences are immediate and significant.
What happens next
There are encouraging signs that the issue is receiving serious attention; however, until there is a formal announcement from Government, our position remains unchanged: we need to keep the pressure on.
If your business has been impacted, please continue to share examples with BYTAP. We also encourage businesses and individuals to contact their local Federal representatives and explain how the disruption is affecting their business, workforce, community or travel plans.
The petition to protect the Working Holiday Maker program continues to gain support, and we encourage industry to sign and share it widely.
We are at an important point in this campaign. The collective advocacy from tourism, agriculture and other affected sectors is being heard, and BYTAP will continue working closely with our industry and government contacts.
We will provide a further update as soon as there is something concrete to share.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement.
On behalf of the BYTAP Committee
Backpacker and Youth Tourism Advisory Panel
LATEST POSTS
Dear Industry,
Since our last update on 26 August, BYTAP has continued its advocacy regarding the current disruption to Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa processing.
There has been significant activity over the past fortnight, including direct engagement with Government and Opposition representatives, industry bodies, the agricultural sector and media. Encouragingly, there is growing recognition across both sides of politics of the importance of the WHM program and the need to address the current situation.
BYTAP’s recently engaged advocate, Simon Westaway, was in Canberra last week meeting with a number of key parliamentary offices and participating in broader industry advocacy. Feedback from these discussions was constructive, and we believe our concerns regarding the impact on tourism businesses, regional communities and seasonal workforces are being heard at senior levels.
Importantly, this is not an issue being raised by tourism alone. BYTAP continues to work alongside other peak industry organisations, including the National Farmers’ Federation, Tourism and Transport Forum, Accommodation Australia and others, reinforcing the significant role Working Holiday Makers play across tourism, hospitality and agriculture.
Media attention has also continued to build, with the issue receiving coverage across national and industry media. BYTAP representatives have participated in interviews and briefings, helping ensure the impacts on youth tourism and Australia’s international reputation remain part of the national conversation.
We are also continuing to provide Government with real world evidence from industry demonstrating the financial and operational impact of the current delays. Thank you to those businesses that have already shared their experiences with us. This information is proving extremely valuable in demonstrating that the consequences are immediate and significant.
What happens next
There are encouraging signs that the issue is receiving serious attention; however, until there is a formal announcement from Government, our position remains unchanged: we need to keep the pressure on.
If your business has been impacted, please continue to share examples with BYTAP. We also encourage businesses and individuals to contact their local Federal representatives and explain how the disruption is affecting their business, workforce, community or travel plans.
The petition to protect the Working Holiday Maker program continues to gain support, and we encourage industry to sign and share it widely.
We are at an important point in this campaign. The collective advocacy from tourism, agriculture and other affected sectors is being heard, and BYTAP will continue working closely with our industry and government contacts.
We will provide a further update as soon as there is something concrete to share.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement.
On behalf of the BYTAP Committee
Backpacker and Youth Tourism Advisory Panel
