Category: Magazine Articles

The ABGC has an enviable track record in successfully eradicating and containing a number of serious pest and disease incursions that have threatened the viability of the Australian banana industry over the years. The Banana industry is a world leader in the effective containment and biosecurity management…

Sixty years ago, the Australian Banana Growers’ Council was formed. In the time since, its dealt with challenges like pest and disease incursions, natural disasters, expansion and the COVID-19 health pandemic, pivoting where necessary, while never losing sight of its primary goal to advance the interests…

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) have committed to examine ways to better assist smaller banana growers to access seasonal workers under the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) and Seasonal Workers Programme (SWP).The process of employing small cohorts of workers under the program has proven…

From 4 April 2022, the Seasonal Workers Programme (SWP) and Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) will be replaced by a new single Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme – aimed at simplifying administration and reduce duplication.Growers will no longer be required to engage with two different…

In the past 60 years, there’s been an enormous amount of progress made when it comes to banana farmers improving their farming practices. The ABGC has played a pivotal role, with the support of Federal and Queensland Government investment, in delivering support to growers to adopt…

As the national peak industry body for Australia’s commercial banana growers, the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) acts in the interests of commercial banana growers on a wide range of issues. The Australian banana industry has confronted some seemingly insurmountable challenges in its 60 year-history…

But road to worker recruitment is still arduous By Sonia Campbell On-going pandemic-related worker shortages continue to put an enormous strain on most banana businesses. Many would argue that it has been one of the greatest challenges growers have ever had to face. For many, the Seasonal…