The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) published a Grower’s E‑Bulletin on 19 January 2026 outlining policy developments affecting Coffs Harbour producers, including changes to labour settings under the PALM scheme and an Australian Government assessment of risk for imports of bananas from the Philippines.
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme minimum‑hours setting — which requires short‑term PALM workers be offered a minimum of 120 hours of work reconciled over four weeks — has been made ongoing beyond 31 March 2026. The government says the ongoing setting is intended to provide continuity for growers who rely on seasonal PALM workers during variable weather and seasonal peaks.
Local growers are closely following the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) assessment of alternative measures for the importation of fresh Cavendish bananas from the Philippines. The department’s assessment will examine risks from pathogens of concern including Moko, black Sigatoka and banana freckle; it will include a technical visit to the Philippines and an issues paper due in the first half of 2026. Coffs Harbour grower Paul Shoker has expressed concern that the review adds pressure to a region already dealing with high costs and biosecurity threats.
To protect local crops, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is continuing regional surveillance for banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) and for Panama disease (Race 1), which are of particular concern for some mountain‑grown varieties in the area. Movement of regulated banana planting material into, within or out of declared control/eradication zones is restricted and unauthorised movement can be an offence under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
The ABGC says it will continue to press for strong biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of pests and diseases such as Black Sigatoka entering or establishing in Australia. Growers can access the ABGC Grower’s E‑Bulletin for full details and to prepare for upcoming inspections, regulatory changes and labour arrangements.
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