Migration Amendment (Temporary Sponsored Visas) Bill 2013

The majority voted in favour of a motion to amend the Migration Amendment (Temporary Sponsored Visas) Bill 2013, which means that the amendment will now be included in the bill. The amendment was proposed by Labor Party MP Brendan O’Connor.

Debate in Parliament

Labor MP Brendan O'Connor said that the amendment introduces new labour market testing requirements and legislatively establishes the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration.(Read MP O'Connor's contribution and associated debate here. ) He said that the Council must include "representatives of unions, industry, state and territory governments and other members, if any, nominated by the minister". The Council's purpose is to advise the minister in relation to the temporary sponsored work visa program.

Liberal Party MP Scott Morrison said that these amendments were designed to “choke the 457 scheme”,(Read MP Morrison's contribution here. ) which allows skilled workers to work in Australia for an approved business for up to four years. He also questioned why the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration needs to be included in the bill when it is already doing a “good job”. He argues that the reason it is included in the bill is to legislate for the presence of unions on the Council and that this amendment is another example of the government doing “the bidding of the unions”.

Background to the Bill

The Migration Amendment (Temporary Sponsored Visas) Bill 2013 was introduced by MP O'Connor to “enhance the government's ability to deter sponsor behaviour which is inconsistent with the policy intent of the subclass 457 visa program and other temporary employer sponsored visa programs”.(Read MP O'Connor's comments here. ) At the time this bill was introduced, the 457 visa program was receiving extensive media attention with claims that it was being misused.(See ABC News. A simple explanation of the 457 visa scheme can be found on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s website here.)

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