Designated Area Migration Agreements

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:13): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier advise the house why he has signed an agreement with the commonwealth that provides for migrant workers to earn 10 per cent less than the mandated minimum migrant salaries in regional areas?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:13): I think the member is referring to the Designated Area Migration Agreement. The federal government had previously had a scenario where the TSMIT (don't ask me exactly what that stands for) was set on a national basis and it didn't really recognise that wages and costs and cost of living were significantly higher in Sydney compared to regional South Australia. We spoke to the federal government about that and that was recognised in the DAMA that was signed by the people of South Australia.

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: I remind the Minister for Education that he was called to order this morning. Leader.