Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This morning, union protesters rallied outside my office against the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement. I want to set the record straight on what the agreement means to the people of Flynn. The agreement will not reduce immigration safeguards. It will not permit overseas workers to work in Australia without going through the necessary checks. Australia is not bound to agree to requests from Chinese companies for concessions to the standard visa requirements. This FTA is similar to previous labour agreement programs put in place by the former Labor government. This FTA also includes labour mobility outcomes consistent with Australia's current immigration policy. We are not changing the skill levels required of Chinese visa holders to work in Australia. We are streamlining and improving access to skills assessment. We are doing this to provide an improved trade relationship between Australia and China; to encourage investment in Australia; and to reduce tariffs on industries including tourism, agriculture and the energy and resource sector. I am confident that these outcomes will benefit my constituents. And we need to support further investment in our industries.