Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

My question is directed to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Vanstone. Can the minister confirm that on 23 May 2006 she received a letter from the AMWU detailing serious concerns about the exploitation of workers on 457 visas by Hunan Industrial Equipment Installation Company at the ABC Tissues site? What action did the minister take when she received this letter and why was it not until a month later that the department visited the site? Why did it take a further month for any notice of intention to sanction Hunan to be issued and why was the company then given another six weeks, until 4 September, to respond? Can the minister explain why, four months after serious concerns were raised directly with her, we are still waiting to find out whether or not any action will be taken against the company? Does the minister still have full confidence in the 457 visa approval system and her department’s monitoring of the treatment of visa holders?