Fraser Anning (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I move the amendment on sheet 8381:

(1) Schedule 1, item 12, page 6 (after line 6), at the end of section 140ZM, add:

Exemption for small businesses

(3) However, a person is not liable to pay nomination training contribution charge to the Commonwealth in relation to:

(a) a nomination by the person under section 140GB; or

(b) an application for approval of a nomination of a position in relation to the holder of, or an applicant or proposed applicant for, a visa;

if both of the following apply:

(c) the person carries on a business that in the financial year before the financial year in which the application or nomination is made had a turnover of less than $5 million;

(d) the application or nomination is made for the purposes of employing a person in connection with that business.

Employment is always a concerning issue, and it's especially critical that we provide for our young people—

The CHAIR: Excuse me, Senator Anning. I just remind senators: we're back in session; you shouldn't be walking across the chamber. Please continue, Senator Anning.

Employment's always a concerning issue, and it's especially critical that we provide our young people with the many opportunities that are required to develop and prosper. The employment of 457 visa holders is a contentious issue, especially when it is perceived that foreigners are taking jobs from Australians.

I know this bill encourages businesses to employ Australian skilled workers. There is no distinction between skilled and unskilled visa holders and no distinction between small family operations and large multinationals. They both need to pay a levy. How is it a viable situation for a single mum running a coffee cart or, like me previously, a publican and small-business operator? We are slugged with a $1,200 fee while trying to staff the business.

I'll always support the business interests of Australians and our community first, and, in doing so, I've always tried to employ Australians to fill any vacancies. However, in some instances, trying to get Aussies to move out to Richmond in Far North Queensland or Prairie or even Babinda, south of Cairns, is more often than not a very hard ask. When I had a hotel in Gladstone, trying to—

The CHAIR: Senator Anning, would you resume your seat. Senators not participating in this debate, could you please leave the chamber and not walk across the chamber when the chamber is in session.

When I had a hotel in Gladstone, trying to get kitchen staff for $30 an hour was an impossible ask when a gas development on Curtis Island was paying $90 an hour for a similar position. You have to serve your customers somehow. In these cases, I had to employ 457 visa holders to fill the vacancies.

Under the government's proposal, small-business operators would be slugged with a $1,200 levy for each staff member employed under the 457 visa scheme. This is an unreasonable ask when, in a lot of cases, the bush hotels, the corner stores or the mums' coffee carts run on very slim margins. I will be supporting this bill. However, there needs to be a distinction made. As such, I propose an exemption for businesses with a turnover of less than $5 million per year. We need to ensure that, in the process of looking after some Australians, we are not making it harder for others.