Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

I know you don't like being reminded of your record, but it is your record. You can't run away from it. You cut funding for skills and training, and now we're paying the price. I'm sorry, but it's true. I acknowledge that Western Australia, including regional Western Australia, is one of the states that is seeking more skilled workers. Of course, the government's primary vehicle for dealing with that issue is our investment in fee-free TAFE, because we do want to make sure that Australians have the skills and training required to take up the jobs that are on offer, whether they be in regional Australia or more broadly.

Of course, we can't meet all of our labour needs—our workforce needs—through domestic workers, and that's why the government, through the Department of Home Affairs, does enter into designated area migration agreements. As I'm sure Senator Payman is aware, the way in which they operate is that there is a formal agreement between the Department of Home Affairs and a regional, state or territory authority. They provide access to more overseas workers than the standard skilled migration programs, and I am aware that there are particular regions in the country that do seek access to more overseas workers than the standard skilled migration programs.

In terms of this specific request, I'm advised that there is a longstanding practice of the government of the day to not comment or disclose details of groups, individuals or companies that have ongoing visa matters before the Department of Home Affairs, but I will take the senator's question on notice and provide an update in due course.