Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

It has just been drawn to my attention that your second reading amendment, which the government has supported, does allow for the people issued with these visas to take up or to address Labor shortages in industries including defence. So that option is available. I guess where there might not yet be agreement is on the number, but I'm sure that we'd be happy to have some discussions with you about that. Of course, it's worth remembering that one of the objectives of this bill and this new visa is to provide those who take up the visas with a streamlined pathway towards citizenship in Australia as well. I'm sure we'd be happy to have some further discussions with you about your views on the need for the use of this in the defence forces.