Phillip Barresi (Deakin, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am pleased to be able to make a contribution to this matter of public importance on 457 visas, which was brought in today by the opposition. It is another MPI that is based on a false premise. It is a lot of hysterical claims with two objectives: to create fear in the public’s mind and to exploit those very people whom they claim they are attempting to protect through this MPI. Members on the other side cite the case of Mr Jack Zhang. They know all too well that this case is being investigated as we speak. They also know all too well that, if there is anything untoward in this case—if any illegal activity has taken place—then the law will come down against those who perpetrated the illegality.

We find ourselves today with an opposition that has the idea that, if you perpetuate a myth, people will believe it. (Quorum formed) The Leader of the Opposition during this matter of public importance said he wanted to make a commitment that we need migrants in this country who are willing to sign up to Australian values in the workplace. ‘Migrants who are willing to sign up to Australian values in the workplace’ is code for, ‘We need migrants who are willing to sign up to and be exploited by the union movement and be gullible to the exploitation evident there.’ I know this is the case because right now around Australia the Your Rights at Work campaign is out there targeting new migrants. At citizenship ceremonies all around this country, they have decided that they are going in to sign these people up to exploit their fear of coming into a new country by peddling the myths and the fears, something which they do all too well. That is what the Beazley commitment is all about.

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