❓ Opposition questions the government's skilled migration program, raising concerns about wage suppression, underemployment of skilled migrants, and consultation with special interest groups. The government defends the program, highlighting its benefits to the economy and skilled workforce.
AnsweredQoN 825Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
JOBS — SKILLED MIGRATION LIST
825. Hon CHARLES SMITH to the Minister for Education and
Training:
I refer to the additional graduate
skilled migration list introduced by the state government that will provide
another pathway for foreign students to achieve residency upon graduation.
(1) Does the
state government concede that these changes may further suppress wage growth by
encouraging employers to recruit from a global pool of labour to compete with
local workers?
(2) Why is the
state government encouraging more foreign workers to WA when, according to a 2017
Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre report, 53 per cent of skilled migrants in WA
said they were working in lower skilled jobs than before they arrived and also
struggled with underemployment?
(3) In relation
to these policy changes, did state government ministers meet at any time with
the Australia China Business Council WA to discuss the graduate skilled
migration list?
(4) Can the minister outline any
other special interest groups involved in the consultation process?
825. Hon CHARLES SMITH to the Minister for Education and
Training:
I refer to the additional graduate
skilled migration list introduced by the state government that will provide
another pathway for foreign students to achieve residency upon graduation.
(1) Does the
state government concede that these changes may further suppress wage growth by
encouraging employers to recruit from a global pool of labour to compete with
local workers?
(2) Why is the
state government encouraging more foreign workers to WA when, according to a 2017
Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre report, 53 per cent of skilled migrants in WA
said they were working in lower skilled jobs than before they arrived and also
struggled with underemployment?
(3) In relation
to these policy changes, did state government ministers meet at any time with
the Australia China Business Council WA to discuss the graduate skilled
migration list?
(4) Can the minister outline any
other special interest groups involved in the consultation process?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) As previously
outlined in the answer to question without notice 679 on 23 August 2018, the
international graduate stream of the state-nominated migration program aims to
attract the best and brightest international students to study at universities
in the state by providing a pathway for eligible high-achieving graduates to
attend the state's universities. Such highly skilled graduates will be
complementary to the state's workforce by boosting the economy and
helping to create jobs for Western Australians. There is significant evidence
and research that demonstrates that highly qualified skilled migrants are
readily employed upon graduation in highly skilled roles. The SNMP allocation
represents only a small fraction of overall employment in Western Australia.
(3) The response
to this part of the question will require me to consult my ministerial
colleagues. I undertake to provide a response on 20 September 2018.
(4) The
Department of Training and Workforce Development consulted with StudyPerth in
the initial stages of developing the overarching strategy. Note that StudyPerth
was not consulted on the compilation of the graduate occupation list.
some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) As previously
outlined in the answer to question without notice 679 on 23 August 2018, the
international graduate stream of the state-nominated migration program aims to
attract the best and brightest international students to study at universities
in the state by providing a pathway for eligible high-achieving graduates to
attend the state's universities. Such highly skilled graduates will be
complementary to the state's workforce by boosting the economy and
helping to create jobs for Western Australians. There is significant evidence
and research that demonstrates that highly qualified skilled migrants are
readily employed upon graduation in highly skilled roles. The SNMP allocation
represents only a small fraction of overall employment in Western Australia.
(3) The response
to this part of the question will require me to consult my ministerial
colleagues. I undertake to provide a response on 20 September 2018.
(4) The
Department of Training and Workforce Development consulted with StudyPerth in
the initial stages of developing the overarching strategy. Note that StudyPerth
was not consulted on the compilation of the graduate occupation list.
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