Working holiday visa changes spark fears for regional economies and Labor's electoral prospects

A radical overhaul of Australia's working holiday visa system has sparked concerns that the federal government's policy priorities are skewed towards city-dwellers at the expense of regional areas.

Experts warn that the changes could have far-reaching consequences for Labor's electoral prospects, particularly in vulnerable regional seats.

A blow to regional economies

Rocco Raseri, a 27-year-old Italian backpacker, had been working as a chef in a Far North Queensland kitchen for six months, expecting to be eligible for his third-year working holiday visa. However, under the new system, the number of spots available has dwindled from 31,000 to just over 5,000.