❓ WA Minister criticises the Federal Government's (Howard Government) skilled migration list, arguing it excludes crucial occupations needed for WA's economic growth, particularly in the mining sector, and expresses hope for a more understanding Rudd Labor government.
AnsweredQoN 731Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MIGRATION - SKILLS IN DEMAND
I understand that the federal government maintains a list of prescribed occupations for skilled migration into Western Australia. Can the minister advise how this list is maintained and who makes a decision about which occupations are on the list? Ms M.M. QUIRK
I understand that the federal government maintains a list of prescribed occupations for skilled migration into Western Australia. Can the minister advise how this list is maintained and who makes a decision about which occupations are on the list? Ms M.M. QUIRK
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Perth for the question and for his obvious interest in the area of immigration. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Canberra compiles a list of what it calls skills in demand. This list allows state governments to sponsor people with skills in demand for migration purposes. The department also allows points concessions to those people applying for a visa whose occupations are listed. Canberra asks for state input to identify the necessary skills in demand. However, in reality, the department in Canberra makes a unilateral decision about skills in demand. Members may be interested to know that Canberra has targeted and excluded the following occupations from the list as skills in demand in Western Australia: construction project manager; production manager (mining); production or plant engineer; industrial engineer; occupational safety and health officer; and building and engineering professionals. Members will appreciate that those are the very skills that will assist in growing our already prosperous economy. If members needed further evidence that the Howard Government is out of touch with the needs of Western Australia, this list provides ample evidence. BHP Billiton has been involved in protracted negotiations with the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship for over a year in an attempt to execute a labour agreement. That is now prejudicing a large project valued at about $3 billion. Therefore, it is my fervent hope that as of Monday, we will be able to deal with a Rudd Labor government whose members understand and appreciate the vital contribution that the Western Australian economy makes to the country’s wellbeing.
Ms M.M. QUIRK replied: I thank the member for Perth for the question and for his obvious interest in the area of immigration. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Canberra compiles a list of what it calls skills in demand. This list allows state governments to sponsor people with skills in demand for migration purposes. The department also allows points concessions to those people applying for a visa whose occupations are listed. Canberra asks for state input to identify the necessary skills in demand. However, in reality, the department in Canberra makes a unilateral decision about skills in demand. Members may be interested to know that Canberra has targeted and excluded the following occupations from the list as skills in demand in Western Australia: construction project manager; production manager (mining); production or plant engineer; industrial engineer; occupational safety and health officer; and building and engineering professionals. Members will appreciate that those are the very skills that will assist in growing our already prosperous economy. If members needed further evidence that the Howard Government is out of touch with the needs of Western Australia, this list provides ample evidence. BHP Billiton has been involved in protracted negotiations with the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship for over a year in an attempt to execute a labour agreement. That is now prejudicing a large project valued at about $3 billion. Therefore, it is my fervent hope that as of Monday, we will be able to deal with a Rudd Labor government whose members understand and appreciate the vital contribution that the Western Australian economy makes to the country’s wellbeing.
I thank the member for Perth for the question and for his obvious interest in the area of immigration. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Canberra compiles a list of what it calls skills in demand. This list allows state governments to sponsor people with skills in demand for migration purposes. The department also allows points concessions to those people applying for a visa whose occupations are listed. Canberra asks for state input to identify the necessary skills in demand. However, in reality, the department in Canberra makes a unilateral decision about skills in demand. Members may be interested to know that Canberra has targeted and excluded the following occupations from the list as skills in demand in Western Australia: construction project manager; production manager (mining); production or plant engineer; industrial engineer; occupational safety and health officer; and building and engineering professionals. Members will appreciate that those are the very skills that will assist in growing our already prosperous economy. If members needed further evidence that the Howard Government is out of touch with the needs of Western Australia, this list provides ample evidence. BHP Billiton has been involved in protracted negotiations with the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship for over a year in an attempt to execute a labour agreement. That is now prejudicing a large project valued at about $3 billion. Therefore, it is my fervent hope that as of Monday, we will be able to deal with a Rudd Labor government whose members understand and appreciate the vital contribution that the Western Australian economy makes to the country’s wellbeing.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Canberra compiles a list of what it calls skills in demand. This list allows state governments to sponsor people with skills in demand for migration purposes. The department also allows points concessions to those people applying for a visa whose occupations are listed. Canberra asks for state input to identify the necessary skills in demand. However, in reality, the department in Canberra makes a unilateral decision about skills in demand. Members may be interested to know that Canberra has targeted and excluded the following occupations from the list as skills in demand in Western Australia: construction project manager; production manager (mining); production or plant engineer; industrial engineer; occupational safety and health officer; and building and engineering professionals. Members will appreciate that those are the very skills that will assist in growing our already prosperous economy. If members needed further evidence that the Howard Government is out of touch with the needs of Western Australia, this list provides ample evidence. BHP Billiton has been involved in protracted negotiations with the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship for over a year in an attempt to execute a labour agreement. That is now prejudicing a large project valued at about $3 billion. Therefore, it is my fervent hope that as of Monday, we will be able to deal with a Rudd Labor government whose members understand and appreciate the vital contribution that the Western Australian economy makes to the country’s wellbeing.
Ms M.M. QUIRK replied: I thank the member for Perth for the question and for his obvious interest in the area of immigration. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Canberra compiles a list of what it calls skills in demand. This list allows state governments to sponsor people with skills in demand for migration purposes. The department also allows points concessions to those people applying for a visa whose occupations are listed. Canberra asks for state input to identify the necessary skills in demand. However, in reality, the department in Canberra makes a unilateral decision about skills in demand. Members may be interested to know that Canberra has targeted and excluded the following occupations from the list as skills in demand in Western Australia: construction project manager; production manager (mining); production or plant engineer; industrial engineer; occupational safety and health officer; and building and engineering professionals. Members will appreciate that those are the very skills that will assist in growing our already prosperous economy. If members needed further evidence that the Howard Government is out of touch with the needs of Western Australia, this list provides ample evidence. BHP Billiton has been involved in protracted negotiations with the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship for over a year in an attempt to execute a labour agreement. That is now prejudicing a large project valued at about $3 billion. Therefore, it is my fervent hope that as of Monday, we will be able to deal with a Rudd Labor government whose members understand and appreciate the vital contribution that the Western Australian economy makes to the country’s wellbeing.
I thank the member for Perth for the question and for his obvious interest in the area of immigration. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Canberra compiles a list of what it calls skills in demand. This list allows state governments to sponsor people with skills in demand for migration purposes. The department also allows points concessions to those people applying for a visa whose occupations are listed. Canberra asks for state input to identify the necessary skills in demand. However, in reality, the department in Canberra makes a unilateral decision about skills in demand. Members may be interested to know that Canberra has targeted and excluded the following occupations from the list as skills in demand in Western Australia: construction project manager; production manager (mining); production or plant engineer; industrial engineer; occupational safety and health officer; and building and engineering professionals. Members will appreciate that those are the very skills that will assist in growing our already prosperous economy. If members needed further evidence that the Howard Government is out of touch with the needs of Western Australia, this list provides ample evidence. BHP Billiton has been involved in protracted negotiations with the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship for over a year in an attempt to execute a labour agreement. That is now prejudicing a large project valued at about $3 billion. Therefore, it is my fervent hope that as of Monday, we will be able to deal with a Rudd Labor government whose members understand and appreciate the vital contribution that the Western Australian economy makes to the country’s wellbeing.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship in Canberra compiles a list of what it calls skills in demand. This list allows state governments to sponsor people with skills in demand for migration purposes. The department also allows points concessions to those people applying for a visa whose occupations are listed. Canberra asks for state input to identify the necessary skills in demand. However, in reality, the department in Canberra makes a unilateral decision about skills in demand. Members may be interested to know that Canberra has targeted and excluded the following occupations from the list as skills in demand in Western Australia: construction project manager; production manager (mining); production or plant engineer; industrial engineer; occupational safety and health officer; and building and engineering professionals. Members will appreciate that those are the very skills that will assist in growing our already prosperous economy. If members needed further evidence that the Howard Government is out of touch with the needs of Western Australia, this list provides ample evidence. BHP Billiton has been involved in protracted negotiations with the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship for over a year in an attempt to execute a labour agreement. That is now prejudicing a large project valued at about $3 billion. Therefore, it is my fervent hope that as of Monday, we will be able to deal with a Rudd Labor government whose members understand and appreciate the vital contribution that the Western Australian economy makes to the country’s wellbeing.
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