STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr KATTER (Kennedy) (13:36): The issue of student visas and migration is back on the agenda again. The Kennedy electorate that I represent produces about 12 per cent of Australia's fruit and vegetables. Bananas, for example, are the generic commodity most sold in supermarkets in Australia, and almost all of Australia's bananas come out of Far North Queensland, the area that I represent.

To pick those bananas requires a huge workforce. The huge workforce for that industry and the related industries up there, like potatoes, citrus and grapes, simply cannot be gotten within Australia, so the backpackers are of absolutely vital necessity to us. The young people coming from America, Japan or Europe have a great time.

It's a really fun time for them. They visit Mission Beach, which has been invaded on two occasions. It is one of the four most beautiful places on earth, and if there's anywhere more beautiful— (Time expired)