VANSTONE RENT RIP OFFS

The Queensland Minister for Public Housing, Robert Schwarten said that Amanda Vanstone should be ashamed of treatment of Ipswich Filipino Welders that has been uncovered.

Lateline reported on Monday night that eight Filipino workers who were in Australia on temporary guest worker immigration visa were paying $175 each to live in a four bedroom house.

Three workers at the factory were sacked yesterday, after they had contacted a trade union to raise issues regarding their treatment.

“The workers were brought here under a Federal Government visa system. They were then employed under a Federal Government Australian Workplace Agreement.

“What they were paying in housing costs arranged by their employer was outrageous.”

There were eight workers in the house paying a total of $1,400 per week for housing and transport. The average rent in the Goodna area is per week is around $230, according to the Residential Tenancies Authority.

“In true form Amanda Vanstone has tried to shovel this issue on to the back of the State Government”, said Mr Schwarten.

“Minister Vanstone says that rents are a matter for the state but in reality this is a work contract entered into by employer and employees with the sanction of the Federal Government.

“The Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority is there to collect bonds and resolve disputes.

“While this authority will pursue the landlord to the letter of the law, but at the end of the day you have an underhand arrangement done under the veil of secrecy of an Australian Workplace Agreement and the RTA has no power in that regard.”

“Instead of trying to blame the state for the poor way these workers have been treated, she would be better placed to do something about employer and the rotten system of the Federal Government has created.”

Media Contacts: David Shankey 0407582041