WENDELL HUSSEY | Cadet |CONTACT
A Betoota Plains primary producer has today been praised for thinking outside the box.
Berrick Watts (59) says he’s decided to try and sweeten the deal for ‘lazy Aussies who don’t want to work.’
“And foreign workers too,” said Berrick.
After nearly two years of struggling to get people to come and work on his farm since borders were closed, Berrick says he’s now trying something different.
“I’m going to chuck in as much free fruit as they want,” explained Berrick.
“I already offer free accommodation, which as far as I know is a fair cost saving, given the price of rentals in Betoota,” he said, motioning to the unairconditioned set of rundown cabins that would shock people who love looking at horror hotel and hostel reviews.
“And now, they can eat as many oranges, lemons, and grapefruits as they want!”
Berrick’s innovative dangling of citrus comes as the National Farmers Federation calls for people who work in the primary industry to be part-paid in fruit ahead of the National Jobs Summit.
That’s something that Berrick says he backs.
“I mean, if people don’t want to come and do 12-hour days on $8 bucks an hour to live in the middle of nowhere, maybe some free fruit will get them over the line,” said the man leaning against his brand new Sahara.
“If that doesn’t do it, then I just don’t know what to do. People just don’t want to work anymore,” finished the man who spends most of the day either driving around on the bike, tractor, or ride on.
More to come.
