Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Lazarus for his question. I understand it is his first question in this place, so congratulations. I make the point that, in relation to the 457 scheme, this government does support foreign workers, absolutely; however, I also make the point that it is a fundamental position of this government that where there is an Australian worker who is ready, willing and able to perform a job or a role then we expect the employer to look to this person first.

In relation to the statistics on 457 visas, I inform the senator as follows. As at the end of April 2014, the growth in the subclass 457 program under this government had actually slowed compared to what it was under the former government and in particular former Minister O'Connor. Growth of the program under former Minister Brendan O'Connor actually blew out. The program under this government is actually responding, as it is meant to, to what currently is a softening labour market. In other words, under the former government, despite the former government's rhetoric in relation to foreign workers and that it expects Australian employers to employ them first, the actual facts show that that was not the case under Minister O'Connor. Under this government the number of 457s applications has decreased and the program is doing exactly what it is intended to do, and that is contract with a softening labour market. (Time expired)