With a surge in global commodity prices and a solid winter beckoning for farmers, the National Farmers’ Federation has predicted 100,000 new workers will be needed nationwide when the drought breaks.

Coleambally farmer and NSW Farmers’ Association councillor John Ward said the scheme could be a heaven-send for the local ag sector.

“It is very, very hard to find people to do jobs like fruit picking and burr chipping,” Mr Ward said.

“The Aussies just don’t want to work that hard and the backpackers can be extremely unreliable.

“Orange picking can be bloody hard work and a lot of them just aren’t up to it.

“The reality is that a lot of (Pacific) Islanders are very keen to work and aren’t afraid to work hard.

“They’ll be keen to take some money back to their own country and I think this scheme would certainly fill a gap.”

Local AWU organiser Harry Goring said while he personally had reservations about the scheme, the AWU had been actively trying to court unskilled workers to the Riverina for years.

“Most times it fell through because the only avenue to bring labour in is if it’s skilled,” Mr Goring said.

“There’s a trial to bring in unskilled labour in New Zealand at the moment and that could answer a lot of our questions.”

But Mr Goring warned such a scheme could be “open slather for abuse” if not properly monitored.

“My personal fear is that it could open up a whole new level of unscrupulous operators,” Mr Goring said.

“The industry needs to pick up in terms of providing minimum conditions for workers.”