The prime minister's assertion that there has been systematic rorting of the 457 immigration visa system has been contradicted by the immigration department.
Early last month (February 3), a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) press release was published, entitled: 457 visa program responds well to economic needs.
The department's own statistics show that for the second six months of 2012, there was actually a decline in applications for temporary visas.
"Temporary work visa applications have been heading downwards since June 2012 and have now declined for the last three consecutive months," a DIAC spokesperson explained.
"Reinforcing this trend has been a drop in actual 457 visa grants since August. This movement demonstrates the 457 visa ...
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