By News Desk
Melbourne, 11 September: The report of the independent review panel into the 457 visa programme appointed by the Tony Abbott government has recommended 22 changes in the current 457 visa programme. The 457 visa has been under attack from the previous Labour government and unions who alleged large scale rorting of the programme.
The ACTU says, ‘There is no surprise that a Government review by a panel of business leaders has recommended scrapping requirements for employers to try to hire local workers before bringing in cheaper foreign workers on 457 visas.’
‘The panel addresses all aspects of the 457 programme, and proposed areas of reform include: improving training opportunities for Australians, simplifying sponsorship requirements, increasing the length of sponsorship, providing greater flexibility for English language testing and fast tracking low risk applications’, says the Immigration department website.
ACTU President Ged Kearney said in a statement the recommendation in the 457 program review to abolish labour market testing is ludicrous.
“Unemployment is at a 12 year high yet instead of creating a plan for jobs and investing in skills and training, yet the answer from the Government and big business is to make it easier for employers to bring in foreign workers,” said ACTU President Ged Kearney.
‘The report identified 22 recommendations that strive to achieve a balance between encouraging flexibility and productivity with strengthening the integrity of the 457 programme and ensuring that overseas workers do not displace Australians,’ Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Michaelia Cash said.
The panel members were led by John Azarias and included Jenny Lambert, Katie Moylan and Professor Peter McDonald.
‘The government will announce a detailed response to the report shortly,’ Minister Cash said.
Robust New Foundations: A Streamlined, Transparent and Responsive System for the 457 Programme is available on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s website—www.immi.gov.au/pub-res/Pages/reviews-and-inquiries/skilled-visa-programme.aspx
Key facts on 457 visa program:
There were 108,870 457 visa holders in Australia at June 2014. This is a 0.8% increase from the previous year despite the rise in unemployment
The number of 457 visa application rejections increased from 9.8% to 19.1% in occupations where labour market testing has been introduced, while the rejection rate has remained the same in occupations not subject to labour market testing
Before labour market testing was introduced – the number of 457 visa applications increased by 33.4% in 2011-12 compared to the previous year, while at the same time the number of people out of work increased by 40,000 with unemployment jumping from 4.9% to 5.2%.
– SAT News Service
