Tony Burke Rejects Farmers' Claims on Immigration Rule Changes

Australian Labor's Tony Burke has disputed claims by the farming lobby that immigration rule changes will lead to higher food prices. Burke described the move to speed up processing of backpacker visas as a positive step for agriculture. The reforms, unveiled at the National Press Club, are more limited than the government would like due to a lack of support from the Coalition for wider legislation. The farming lobby had warned that shoppers would see emptier shelves and higher prices due to restrictions on backpacker visas. Burke rejected these claims, stating that the changes are not expected to increase food prices for households.