❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding delays in approving 457 visas for abattoir workers, impacting animal welfare during a drought. The Treasurer's response focuses on the need for increased migration and fair wages, shifting responsibility to the federal government.
AnsweredQoN 603Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ABATTOIRS - TREASURER’S COMMENTS
I refer to the Treasurer’s comments in The West Australian last Saturday where he was reported as saying - “Due to the impact of unprecedented extensive dry season in Western Australia causing large-scale animal welfare issues, there is an urgent need to have Western Australia’s abattoirs operating at full capacity to process as many beef and sheep as possible,” (1) Is the Treasurer aware that International Exporters Pty Ltd, Gingin Abattoir, is prepared to pay the full $41 850 wage, plus superannuation, for a 38-hour week with four weeks’ holiday per annum, and has made this known to his government for the past two weeks? (2) Why has it taken more than six weeks to resolve this issue when the Treasurer recognises the urgency of the situation with regard to animal welfare? (3) Will the Treasurer now allow International Exporters to bring in the 12 workers it has applied for and enable it to get on with the job? Mr E.S. RIPPER
I refer to the Treasurer’s comments in The West Australian last Saturday where he was reported as saying - “Due to the impact of unprecedented extensive dry season in Western Australia causing large-scale animal welfare issues, there is an urgent need to have Western Australia’s abattoirs operating at full capacity to process as many beef and sheep as possible,” (1) Is the Treasurer aware that International Exporters Pty Ltd, Gingin Abattoir, is prepared to pay the full $41 850 wage, plus superannuation, for a 38-hour week with four weeks’ holiday per annum, and has made this known to his government for the past two weeks? (2) Why has it taken more than six weeks to resolve this issue when the Treasurer recognises the urgency of the situation with regard to animal welfare? (3) Will the Treasurer now allow International Exporters to bring in the 12 workers it has applied for and enable it to get on with the job? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I am once again very pleased to have a chance to answer a question on the need for the federal government to get more migrants into this state so that we can get on with the development of this state. We have 14 per cent economic growth in this state, more than double the approval rating of the Leader of the Opposition, and we have had massive - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
(2) Why has it taken more than six weeks to resolve this issue when the Treasurer recognises the urgency of the situation with regard to animal welfare? (3) Will the Treasurer now allow International Exporters to bring in the 12 workers it has applied for and enable it to get on with the job? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I am once again very pleased to have a chance to answer a question on the need for the federal government to get more migrants into this state so that we can get on with the development of this state. We have 14 per cent economic growth in this state, more than double the approval rating of the Leader of the Opposition, and we have had massive - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
(3) Will the Treasurer now allow International Exporters to bring in the 12 workers it has applied for and enable it to get on with the job? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I am once again very pleased to have a chance to answer a question on the need for the federal government to get more migrants into this state so that we can get on with the development of this state. We have 14 per cent economic growth in this state, more than double the approval rating of the Leader of the Opposition, and we have had massive - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I am once again very pleased to have a chance to answer a question on the need for the federal government to get more migrants into this state so that we can get on with the development of this state. We have 14 per cent economic growth in this state, more than double the approval rating of the Leader of the Opposition, and we have had massive - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
(1)-(3) I am once again very pleased to have a chance to answer a question on the need for the federal government to get more migrants into this state so that we can get on with the development of this state. We have 14 per cent economic growth in this state, more than double the approval rating of the Leader of the Opposition, and we have had massive - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
(2) Why has it taken more than six weeks to resolve this issue when the Treasurer recognises the urgency of the situation with regard to animal welfare? (3) Will the Treasurer now allow International Exporters to bring in the 12 workers it has applied for and enable it to get on with the job? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I am once again very pleased to have a chance to answer a question on the need for the federal government to get more migrants into this state so that we can get on with the development of this state. We have 14 per cent economic growth in this state, more than double the approval rating of the Leader of the Opposition, and we have had massive - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
(3) Will the Treasurer now allow International Exporters to bring in the 12 workers it has applied for and enable it to get on with the job? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I am once again very pleased to have a chance to answer a question on the need for the federal government to get more migrants into this state so that we can get on with the development of this state. We have 14 per cent economic growth in this state, more than double the approval rating of the Leader of the Opposition, and we have had massive - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I am once again very pleased to have a chance to answer a question on the need for the federal government to get more migrants into this state so that we can get on with the development of this state. We have 14 per cent economic growth in this state, more than double the approval rating of the Leader of the Opposition, and we have had massive - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
(1)-(3) I am once again very pleased to have a chance to answer a question on the need for the federal government to get more migrants into this state so that we can get on with the development of this state. We have 14 per cent economic growth in this state, more than double the approval rating of the Leader of the Opposition, and we have had massive - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Cottesloe and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : We have had massive private sector investment. We have had better than 50 per cent growth in business investment over the past 12 months. We were already at historically high levels before that happened. In the four years to 2004-05, more than $57 billion of private sector investment occurred in this state. We must get more migrants in Western Australia, and I prefer permanent migrants to guest workers. I want all the migrants who come to Western Australia to work to be paid at Australian rates and to work under Australian conditions. That is what we should be aiming for. The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
The issue of the 457 visas is being handled by my colleague the Minister for Small Business. However, the federal government does not have to get approval from the Western Australian government to allow people to come to the state on 457 visas. The federal government is responsible for migration policy. It does not have to get a tick from the Western Australian government. However, we say to the federal government that it should bring in workers because we need them, but it should pay them a fair Australian rate and have them work under Australian conditions. That is the way we have built this country for the 50 years or more of migration, and that is how we should continue to build it.
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