George Christensen (Dawson, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Bowen Basin and regional service centres on the central Queensland coast are ground zero for job losses, with a far more devastating impact on the national economy than the cessation of car manufacturing in Australia. In a very short time, direct job losses surpassed 10,000 workers, and the flow-on effect across local communities has been devastating. This has all happened with the downturn in coal prices on the international stage. I welcome this government's commitment, as a result, to crack down on 457 visas and those who rort the system. Labor talked about it a lot, but in their last term in office, the number of 457 visa holders more than doubled from 42,000 in 2010 to 110,000 in 2013.

Now, in just 18 months the Liberal-National government has not only halted the growth of 457 visa holders but numbers have actually declined. To further crack down on 457s, this government has adopted a number of recommendations from an independent review, including penalties for receiving payment in return for sponsoring a 457 visa worker; cross checks to ensure 457 workers receive their nominated salary and that they are not undercutting Australian workers; proactive prosecution and naming and shaming of offenders exploiting overseas workers and misusing the program; and a review of occupations available for sponsorship under the program.

I support this tough approach from the government, and my constituents in North Queensland and Central Queensland can count on this government to stand up for local people for local jobs.