Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Firstly, dealing with the Australian citizenship test, I can assure the honourable member that the government has no intention of watering down the test. It is true that we have established a review panel. It consists of seven eminent Australians: Richard Woolcott AC, as was noted; Olympian Rechelle Hawkes; SBS Director of Radio, Paula Masselos; refugee advocate Juliana Nkrumah; Australia Day Council CEO, Warren Pearson; former Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie AO; and legal expert Professor Kim Rubenstein. They are conducting a review. That committee is consulting with the Australian community and examining aspects of the content and operation of the citizenship test. It is the case that almost 95 per cent of people are passing the test, but we need to assess the impact on some categories. For instance, I think 99 per cent of skilled migrants are passing the test and 91 per cent of family migrants are passing the test compared with 82 per cent of test candidates who came as refugees or under humanitarian programs. We assume that they obviously have had greater disadvantages in life or they would not have applied under those categories, so we need to make an assessment as to whether they are being disadvantaged because of the nature of the test. We also want to look at whether the material that is being covered in the test and in preparation for the test, most importantly, is helpful in assisting applicants to become better citizens as well as whether the process is equipping applicants with a knowledge of the rights and responsibilities that becoming an Australian citizen entails. In terms of the funding issues, I do not have those figures in front of me but, if the honourable member does not mind, I will refer those issues to the minister for a more detailed response.

In respect of the question from the member for Sturt, I could not disagree, having turned 50 in January of this year, that people are still useful at the age of 50. Personally, I think these age restrictions are often ham-fisted. There would be a range of occupations that a 50-year-old could willingly, happily and competently discharge. I think the days have long gone since St George would have considered putting them in the outside centres. I agree that there is some scope, and I will refer that suggestion to the minister. I think the military, police forces and intelligence agencies have found that senior recruits, while they may not be all that useful in street jobs, can serve a useful role. I think there is a valid point to be communicated to the minister in that context.

In terms of the 457 visa program—and I thank the honourable member for his question—we have appointed an external reference group to examine the program to ensure that it is operating fairly. It is important. It does bring skilled workers temporarily into the country. We are addressing issues such as having three dedicated centres, located in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, to assist the program’s implementation. We are also looking at a situation where low-risk employers and employer groups will have their applications processed faster.

Ms Barbara Deegan of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission is conducting a review to assess whether terms and conditions of employment are being applied equitably to people in this category, to ensure that they do not create a situation where they undercut Australian workers and to ensure that they are not exploited. In that context, we are also ensuring that the minimum salary level is indexed in accordance with the baseline movement in employees’ total earnings. That will result in an immediate increase of 3.8 per cent and it will be indexed to ensure that there are not two tiers of workers in the workforce. (Time expired)

Proposed expenditure agreed to.

Attorney General’s Portfolio

Proposed expenditure, $3,875,155,000

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