Barry O'Sullivan (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As this is my last motion for the year, I would like the indulgence of the chamber to perhaps have it supported unanimously. I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visa is designed to enable employers to address labour shortages by bringing in genuinely skilled workers where they cannot find an appropriately skilled Australian, and

(ii) many employers, including those in the trade union movement, have utilised this program to address skill shortages in their workforces; and

(b) condemns the short-sighted view of those who label this program as a ‘form of slavery’ and not a vital tool in improving the productivity of Australian businesses.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, I seek leave to make a short statement which will disappoint Senator O'Sullivan.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think leave has been denied. Senator Macdonald?

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The leave sought was to embarrass Senator O'Sullivan or deny his request. I object to that. If she wants to seek leave to make a statement, I am totally in favour of that.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Moore, we might just revisit your initial request.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I graciously accept that leave. Labor opposes this motion and will call it out for what it is: a thinly disguised stunt designed to result in a cheap line rather than address the matter of policy substance. Australia must have a skilled migration program that gets the balance right. Labor wants industry and business to have access to skilled workers when they need them through an acceptable and highly responsive program to support economic growth that benefits all Australians. However, we must also ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place so that the 457 visa program is not abused as an industrial tool. We note that the best way to improve the productivity of Australian businesses is to improve the skills of Australian workers and to employ them. I look forward to Senator O'Sullivan bringing forward a motion that condemns the fact that since the election of Prime Minister Abbott in September 2013, Australia has lost almost 100,000 apprentices and cut $1 billion from apprenticeship programs.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 849 be agreed to.