State politics enters debate on 457 immigration visa reform

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Created on Monday, 18 March 2013 14:33

Written by Editorial staff

Condemnation is still rife as a result of the federal government's decision to crack down on 457 immigration visas.

Even state politics is getting in on the game, with New South Wales deputy premier Andrew Stoner hitting out against the proposed changes, saying that the reforms were unintelligent.

Mr Stoner explained that these reforms could have negative ramifications, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

He said: "The last thing we want, if we are going to position Sydney as a global talent hub, is for there to be a perception that Australia doesn't welcome the sort of people we want to come here."

Industry bodies have also come out against the government's position with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) confirming Mr Stoner's stance that the country's international reputation is at stake - especially in Asia where the big dollars of investment are.           
ACCI chief executive Peter Anderson summarised the issue for the ABC.

He said: "Coming through transit in Singapore and seeing The Straits Times indicate a blaring headline that says: 'Canberra is closing the door to migrants ahead of elections'.

"And as if that was not bad enough, it then had that story with the views of the government and the prime minister then juxtaposed with an adjoining story about Pauline Hanson attempting to make a comeback to Australian politics on the back of this skilled migration issue."

Mr Anderson added Australians working overseas are in jeopardy as a result of these changes. As thousands of skilled Australians are employed in Asian nations on these types of visas - he explained - the knowledge that their country is stigmatising Asian workers in Australia will send a bad message overseas.

It is obvious that there are businesses that have abused the system, Mr Anderson explained, but it is irresponsible of the government to portray the 457 visa scheme as one that is out of control. Labor should also not be depicting visa holders as people who are driving down the wages of locals or ensuring that they are not able to get work.

Speaking on the ABC's Lateline, opposition spokesperson on immigration and citizenship Scott Morrison told Tony Jones that there needs to be hard evidence of rorts and that the government has not made a clear case for these changes.

He cited the fact that there has been no inquiry or investigation and that the department did not mention the 457 issue when it spoke before a senate estimates committee recently.