Much has been made of nation's shortage of skilled labour. But many primary producers claim there's an even greater shortage of unskilled labour across all of rural Australia. They say many Australians are no longer willing to undertake the more menial, labour intensive jobs our forebears once performed. Most horticultural regions rely on itinerant labour in the form of foreign backpackers and in one region seasonal labour shortages have become so severe that it has devised a radical solution to bring guest labour from China. The Sunraysia Mallee Economic Development Board wants federal government approval for its scheme in time for the coming summer harvest. Its plan has the support of peak farmer bodies. But this is an emotive issue, dividing opinions on both sides of the political fence.