VISAS

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:14): My question is to the Minister for Industry and Trade.

The Hon. K.O. Foley: That's me.

Ms CHAPMAN: That's it—wakey, wakey! What action did the minister take to oppose the federal government's change to Regional 457 visas? On Friday 15 May 2009, the federal government announced changes to Regional 457 visas, including the exclusion of many occupations related to the mines and energy sector. For example, this was to include crane operators, plant operators, mining construction workers and structural steel construction workers.

It was claimed that this was to protect local employment. However, the number of visas for workers within regional South Australia from July 2008 until March 2009 was for only 40 persons. A further amendment by the federal government requires that these workers can be accessed only under a labour agreement. However, these take six to nine months to negotiate and need the approval of the department.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations) (15:15): I say to the members for Frome, Giles and Stuart that it is a role and responsibility of the national government to macro manage the 457 scheme.

Ms Chapman: They changed the rules.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Yes.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I have called the deputy leader to order.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Can I answer the first question before she gives me two or three extra ones? The federal government takes the view, as does this government, that, if there is an increase in unemployment and a contraction in the labour market, the need for certain skill sectors is less, and that the opportunity—

The Hon. P.F. Conlon: It doesn't make sense.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: It doesn't make sense, does it? Therefore, the opportunity for Australians to access jobs should increase. The 457 visas are a mechanism, of which we have been fully supportive, addressing a need to fill important skill gaps in our economy. We have been very aggressive as a state government in attracting 457 visa applications into South Australia where there have been skill deficits. It is the responsibility of the national government to make a judgment as to whether or not those skill shortages will recede in a recession.

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Are you saying I should have done something?

Ms Chapman: Absolutely.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Why should I do something?

Ms Chapman interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Who says it's not a good idea?

The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Premier will take his seat. This is not an opportunity to engage in debate. The deputy leader has asked her question and the Deputy Premier is providing a fairly straightforward answer. He is not engaging in invective or debate. The deputy leader really has to learn to sit still, be quiet and allow the Deputy Premier to answer the question. If there are other things she wants to ask arising from the Deputy Premier's answer I am more than happy to give her the call, but I cannot have a situation where there is this ongoing dialogue between one side and the other while the Deputy Premier is trying to answer the question. The Deputy Premier.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: Thank you, sir. I am not sure that there is an issue. The Leader of the Opposition by shaking her head is saying we should not be giving jobs to local people in Port Pirie, Port Augusta or Whyalla who want access to the jobs. That is the sense of what she asked, the way I heard the question, unless I misheard it.

I will get a response from my department. We monitor very carefully and liaise with industry as to its needs and try to get a take on what we expect to be the skills gap areas, and we have a constant dialogue with the national government and the immigration department to ensure that we can meet that. We have a very good business migration unit and a meet and greet program. We work closely with industry. I am aware of many industry sectors that have used 457 visas when they have not had skills available, and, equally, where there has not been as much demand for 457, the argument has been that those areas should not be included. I will reread the question, and if I have misunderstood it I would be surprised, but—

Ms Chapman: The mining industry.

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: The mining industry. The mining industry has slowed down. If the federal government has reduced the number of 457 visas for this period, as unemployment goes up, excuse us on this side, but if it is Port Augusta, Port Pirie or Whyalla and we can have a job for an Australian before we have one for the holder of a 457 visa we are supportive of that, because what we are all about is the person in Port Pirie, the young lad in Port Augusta and the woman in Whyalla: we want those people to have first access to those jobs.

If the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party is now advocating that a job should go to someone from overseas when there is a fully qualified available person in Port Pirie, Port Augusta or Whyalla, shame on her. We are proud Australians on this side of the chamber, who will put Australian jobs first. If we can get a young man or woman in Port Pirie, Whyalla or, indeed, Port Augusta into a job that we do not need to have filled by someone from overseas, that is what we are all about. We are all about jobs for Australians and, when those Australians are not available, then we will use the 457 visa scheme. So, pro jobs and—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY: I will look forward to you explaining that one when you are campaigning in the seats of Frome, Stuart and Giles during the next election.