Only a Coalition Government Can be Trusted to Put Australian Workers First

Labor presided over a huge growth in 457 visa numbers when last in Government and did little to protect Australian workers from being displaced by temporary visa holders.
The number of 457 visas granted hit a record high under Bill Shorten as Employment Minister with more than 126,000 visas granted in 2012-13. At the same time, Bill Shorten approved a deal with fast food outlets to bring in hundreds of foreign workers to flip burgers and Brendan O’Connor as Immigration Minister even admitted that over 10,000 visa holders were rorting Labor’s program.
When we came into Government we cracked down on, and then abolished completely, Labor’s out of control 457 visa program. In doing so, we have significantly reduced the number of visas granted – less than 65,000 visas granted in 2017-18 compared to the 126,000 visas granted under Labor in 2012-13.
Salary has also increased in the new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) program compared to the 457 visa program. In 2017-18, we saw a $15,000 higher average remuneration ($110,000 compared to $95,000 for the 457 visa program) demonstrating people are more highly skilled and experienced under the changes introduced by the Coalition.
The Coalition implemented Labor Market Testing—an initiative that didn’t exist under Labor—to ensure Australians are always prioritised for Australian jobs. Employers can only bring in overseas workers if Australian workers are not available.
And we introduced the Skilling Australia Fund levy which requires employers nominating under the TSS visa program to pay a fee of at least $1200 that goes towards improving training for Australian workers.
Given Labor’s dismal history with Australia’s skilled visa program, their announcement today would be laughable if it weren’t for the fact it would put small and regional businesses out of business and severely impact our economy.
Labor is once again succumbing to its Union leaders and the Greens, while at the same time increasing the Humanitarian Program by 52,000 places over four years at a cost to the Australian taxpayer of $6.2 billion.
Labor has time and again proven that they cannot be trusted to manage our border protection and immigration programs, and they cannot be trusted to manage money. If you can’t manage money, then you can’t run the country. That’s why Labor is the Bill Australia cannot afford.