Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

I move amendment (1) on sheet 8006 revised:

(1) Clause 34, page 29 (after line 19), after subclause (2), insert:

(2A) Without limiting subsection (1), the Building Code must include provisions ensuring that no person is employed to undertake building work unless:

(a) the position is first advertised in Australia; and

(b) the advertising was targeted in such a way that a significant proportion of suitably qualified and experienced Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents (within the meaning of the Migration Act 1958) would be likely to be informed about the position; and

(c) any skills or experience requirements set out in the advertising were appropriate to the position; and

(d) the employer demonstrates that no Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident is suitable for the job.

As a union official who was active for 27 years, I have seen the rip-offs that have been taking place with some of these workers coming in from overseas—absolute rip-offs. I think first of all we should be ensuring that Australian workers get access to the jobs that are available if they are qualified and willing to do the work. I just cannot understand why One Nation would not support this resolution. This amendment seems to me to be consistent with the rhetoric about jobs, about ensuring that Australian workers get a fair go. That is simply what this is about. So I would ask all of the crossbench to support this, because this is one issue that we can be sure will be welcomed by Australian workers around the country, and that is that they get first chop at any job they are qualified and willing to do. That is the proposal that is here, and I say we should support it and that it is an extremely important proposition for all Australians, and I urge the Senate to support this.