Amanda Vanstone (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for the question. I did not see the Lateline report that I think started this matter in the public arena, but I can say that the allegations are being investigated by my department and any relevant state and federal agencies. On 16 June, departmental officials in Guangzhou met with representatives of the Hunan industrial equipment installation company to discuss the allegations. On 20 June, the department and the Office of Workplace Services will visit ABC Tissue to make further inquiries—so I am expecting that to happen today. On 23 June, the department will meet with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union to discuss further issues that they have raised. Occupational health and safety concerns have been referred to New South Wales WorkCover. I hope that what I have said to you at this point indicates that, if allegations are made about people misusing these visas, they will be investigated, certainly by federal agencies. I have had no indication to this point that state agencies would not feel exactly the same way because, in some cases, they are involved.

We do take seriously any allegations made about misuse of this visa. Whether it is underpayment, whether it is not being frank about the skill levels—those not being up to what is required—or any other form of exploitation, it is certainly taken very seriously by us. And the reason it is taken seriously is that this visa is a very valuable visa to Australian industry. It allows Australian industry to be able to respond to opportunities in the market by getting in the skills it needs and getting them in quickly and therefore to protect itself and to grow, and therefore to secure the jobs of Australian workers. That is of course why we take these matters very seriously. Much more than that I cannot tell you until these inquiries have been completed.