WE can hardly say we were not warned. Last month, the Prime Minister told a trade union conference that her party was neither moderate nor progressive: "I'm a leader of the party called the Labor Party deliberately because that is what we come from." The Labor Party was founded in the late 19th century on a platform of resisting an influx of foreign workers. Incredibly, in 2013, that is where it has returned.
For a party that only last week accused its opponents of dog whistling to xenophobic sentiments, the hypocrisy is breathtaking. Labor says its crackdown on 457 temporary visas is based on anecdotal "community feedback"; read self-serving trade union protectionists. If the performance by ACTU secretary Dave Oliver on ABC's Lateline on Tuesday is anything to go by, evidence is very anecdotal indeed. Yet Julia Gillard is now prepared to dance to Mr Oliver's tune, putting at risk Australia's broader economic interests to govern for a selfish few.
It sets her apart from her predecessors on both sides of politics who understood the link between skilled migration and building our economy. Is this the same Prime Minister who launched the Asian Century white paper, proclaiming it would make us "a more prosperous and resilient nation that is fully part of our region and open to the world"? Does she now refute the paper's call for "a flexible, responsive skilled migration services system . . . to meet Australia's changing labour force needs?" Were the paper's authors wrong to call on government "to reduce unnecessary impediments in Australia's domestic regulations to cross-border business activity"? The answer must be yes, judging by the unedifying debate whipped up by Ms Gillard and her Scottish communications director John McTernan who, to pile irony upon hypocrisy, is himself a 457 visa holder.
Far from displacing Australian workers, 457 visa overcome skills shortages and keep the economy flowing. Visa holders must be sponsored by an employer to fill a nominated position for which they cannot find an appropriately skilled Australian worker. The visa holder must have the relevant qualifications and experience, including English language ability, and hold health insurance. In a nation battling acute shortages of nurses, engineers, scientists, skilled construction workers and other professionals, immigration department records show that the 457 scheme is providing workers where they are needed most. In the six months to December 31 last year, most new 457 visas went to workers in the construction and healthcare industries. Significant numbers were also granted to miners, scientists and technicians.
Ms Gillard now says Labor inherited a foreign workers visa program that was "totally out of control" under John Howard, but she has presided over the biggest yearly increase in overseas workers. In the 2011-12 financial year, 125,070 were approved -- a 52.3 per cent increase on the previous year, underlining the demand for skilled labour. Ms Gillard and her union mates should broaden their vision. At any one time, about 1 million Australians are living and working overseas, enriching their skills and experience and contributing much to other nations. Temporary foreign workers do the same for Australia.
Source http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/put-the-national-interest-ahead-of-unions-jingoism/story-e6frg71x-1226591926890
For a party that only last week accused its opponents of dog whistling to xenophobic sentiments, the hypocrisy is breathtaking. Labor says its crackdown on 457 temporary visas is based on anecdotal "community feedback"; read self-serving trade union protectionists. If the performance by ACTU secretary Dave Oliver on ABC's Lateline on Tuesday is anything to go by, evidence is very anecdotal indeed. Yet Julia Gillard is now prepared to dance to Mr Oliver's tune, putting at risk Australia's broader economic interests to govern for a selfish few.
It sets her apart from her predecessors on both sides of politics who understood the link between skilled migration and building our economy. Is this the same Prime Minister who launched the Asian Century white paper, proclaiming it would make us "a more prosperous and resilient nation that is fully part of our region and open to the world"? Does she now refute the paper's call for "a flexible, responsive skilled migration services system . . . to meet Australia's changing labour force needs?" Were the paper's authors wrong to call on government "to reduce unnecessary impediments in Australia's domestic regulations to cross-border business activity"? The answer must be yes, judging by the unedifying debate whipped up by Ms Gillard and her Scottish communications director John McTernan who, to pile irony upon hypocrisy, is himself a 457 visa holder.
Far from displacing Australian workers, 457 visa overcome skills shortages and keep the economy flowing. Visa holders must be sponsored by an employer to fill a nominated position for which they cannot find an appropriately skilled Australian worker. The visa holder must have the relevant qualifications and experience, including English language ability, and hold health insurance. In a nation battling acute shortages of nurses, engineers, scientists, skilled construction workers and other professionals, immigration department records show that the 457 scheme is providing workers where they are needed most. In the six months to December 31 last year, most new 457 visas went to workers in the construction and healthcare industries. Significant numbers were also granted to miners, scientists and technicians.
Ms Gillard now says Labor inherited a foreign workers visa program that was "totally out of control" under John Howard, but she has presided over the biggest yearly increase in overseas workers. In the 2011-12 financial year, 125,070 were approved -- a 52.3 per cent increase on the previous year, underlining the demand for skilled labour. Ms Gillard and her union mates should broaden their vision. At any one time, about 1 million Australians are living and working overseas, enriching their skills and experience and contributing much to other nations. Temporary foreign workers do the same for Australia.
Source http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/put-the-national-interest-ahead-of-unions-jingoism/story-e6frg71x-1226591926890
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