QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT PULLS OUT OF FEDERAL VISA CERTIFICATION SCHEME
Published Wednesday, 22 August, 2007 at 11:33 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
The Queensland Government will discontinue its role as a Regional Certifying Body of the Federal Government’s section 457 visa scheme, Minister for State Development John Mickel announced today.
Mr Mickel said while the scheme has a role to play in supplying skilled labour in cases where Australian workers are not available to fill jobs, it is placing an excessive burden on Queensland taxpayers.
“Up until now, the Department has played the dual role of monitoring the system and certifying documentation submitted by regional sponsoring employers seeking to fill vacancies with a skilled migrant.
“My Department has certified only ten positions for Queensland Government agencies in the 2006-07 financial year, therefore its resources can be better used elsewhere.”
Mr Mickel said the Department of State Development will cease taking applications on 31 August 2007 and aims to have all outstanding applications processed by 30 September.
Employers who previously used the Department’s services will not be disadvantaged as they may seek certification from any one of the 12 remaining Regional Certifying Bodies in Queensland.
The Department will discuss transitional arrangements with the Commonwealth to make sure any impact on Queensland businesses is neutral.
“The Queensland Government has cooperated with the Commonwealth to try and make the 457 visa scheme work but Minister Andrews continues to let us down,” Mr Mickel said.
“The Commonwealth has rejected requests by the States to consider the inclusion of English language testing, health testing and relevant public state education charges in the list of costs which should be borne by sponsoring employers.
“By default, these costs are being picked up by Queensland taxpayers and that is not good enough.
“The architect of Work Choices is also acting true to form by not protecting existing Australian workers from being made redundant and being replaced by 457 visa holders.
“Minister Andrews favours only a four month moratorium after workers are made redundant, not 12 months. He also favours 457 visa holders being used as strike breakers.“
Mr Mickel said worker safety is also a concern with Minister Andrews refusing to support a request by the States for formal English language testing of workers in occupations where language difficulties could pose risks to workplace health and safety or the general public.
“Kevin Andrews is on notice and Queensland will use its resources to try and reduce cost-shifting to taxpayers, protect worker entitlements and minimise risks to the safety of workers and the general public,” he said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
Mr Mickel said while the scheme has a role to play in supplying skilled labour in cases where Australian workers are not available to fill jobs, it is placing an excessive burden on Queensland taxpayers.
“Up until now, the Department has played the dual role of monitoring the system and certifying documentation submitted by regional sponsoring employers seeking to fill vacancies with a skilled migrant.
“My Department has certified only ten positions for Queensland Government agencies in the 2006-07 financial year, therefore its resources can be better used elsewhere.”
Mr Mickel said the Department of State Development will cease taking applications on 31 August 2007 and aims to have all outstanding applications processed by 30 September.
Employers who previously used the Department’s services will not be disadvantaged as they may seek certification from any one of the 12 remaining Regional Certifying Bodies in Queensland.
The Department will discuss transitional arrangements with the Commonwealth to make sure any impact on Queensland businesses is neutral.
“The Queensland Government has cooperated with the Commonwealth to try and make the 457 visa scheme work but Minister Andrews continues to let us down,” Mr Mickel said.
“The Commonwealth has rejected requests by the States to consider the inclusion of English language testing, health testing and relevant public state education charges in the list of costs which should be borne by sponsoring employers.
“By default, these costs are being picked up by Queensland taxpayers and that is not good enough.
“The architect of Work Choices is also acting true to form by not protecting existing Australian workers from being made redundant and being replaced by 457 visa holders.
“Minister Andrews favours only a four month moratorium after workers are made redundant, not 12 months. He also favours 457 visa holders being used as strike breakers.“
Mr Mickel said worker safety is also a concern with Minister Andrews refusing to support a request by the States for formal English language testing of workers in occupations where language difficulties could pose risks to workplace health and safety or the general public.
“Kevin Andrews is on notice and Queensland will use its resources to try and reduce cost-shifting to taxpayers, protect worker entitlements and minimise risks to the safety of workers and the general public,” he said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.