Kelvin Thomson (Wills, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Employment, in writing, on 14 November 2014:

(1) Is the Minister aware of the statement made by Sir Robert Menzies on 2 October 1964 at the opening of the Chrysler Manufacturing Centre in Tonsley Park, South Australia, where he said that the manufacturing industry, providing large scale employment, has enabled migration programs to continue, and in turn, given confidence to other industries that benefit from the higher demand for goods and services resulting from annual population increases.

(2) Will the Minister consider developing a coordinated strategy (a) to ensure Australia's migration program, particularly the Skilled Migration program, does not reduce the opportunities for Australians to find work in this tough job market, and (b) that helps to regenerate manufacturing and industry in Australia, particularly in Melbourne's Northern Suburbs, in order to reduce local unemployment and improve social cohesion.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Employment has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

(1) I am well aware of the public speeches and contributions to Australia of Australia's longest serving Prime Minister. The Government hopes that the Honourable Member might learn something from reading Sir Robert Menzies' speeches.

(2) (a) The focus of Australia's migration programmes has changed over time and current policy balances the contribution of skilled migration to the workforce and economic productivity, with Australia's social, humanitarian and international obligations.

The Government fully supports the principle of Australians first in the local labour market.

(b) The Government is committed to creating jobs by building a strong and productive economy. The Government will make it easier for businesses to take advantage of opportunities through concluding new Free Trade Agreements with Korea, Japan and China, cutting $1 billion in red and green tape costs every year and by establishing a one-stop-shop for environmental approval.