Peter Costello (Higgins, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

The skill training visas system was developed in response to representation from regional industries—and that is why it was developed—many of whom had difficulty filling apprenticeship vacancies. Before an overseas apprentice can fill a vacancy, an approved regional certifying body must certify that no Australian apprentice can be found to fill the vacancy and draw on documentary evidence that must be provided by the potential sponsor. All regional certifying bodies are endorsed by relevant state and government bodies, and in some states the certifying body is the state government. For example, in South Australia, it is the South Australian state department that is the certifying body, and I am led to believe that in nearly all the states the state governments reserve unto themselves to be certifying bodies. Those certifying bodies must certify that no Australian apprentice can be found. I do not believe there is any evidence whatsoever that the regional certifying bodies have done that falsely and I doubt whether the opposition would say that they are doing it falsely, because they are in fact state governments and bodies—

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