Government’s 457 visa policy does not fix system or grow local jobs
Greens Deputy Leader and employment spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today said the government’s response to the 457 visa review would not stop the rorting of the working visa system and instead called on the government to make local skills development and jobs a top priority.
“Not only will the government’s plans not stop employers’ abuse of temporary work visas, they do nothing to grow jobs for locals across the country,” Mr Bandt said.
“At same time as claiming to toughen 457 requirements the government is in fact making testing weaker.”
“With a national unemployment rate of 6.3% and the government’s Free Trade Agreement with China seeing jobs traded away by exempting the requirement for employers to hire local workers first, people looking for work are close to crisis point.”
“Right now, the government should be making skilling locals and growing the number of local jobs its top priority.”
Media contact: Adam Pulford, 0429 109 054