❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding a draft emergency agreement with DIMA to import 150 skilled migrant meat workers. The Minister's response indicates the agreement was not signed due to the meat industry's refusal to participate, but a smaller agreement was reached with International Exporters.
AnsweredQoN 4183Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Regarding the emergency agreement provided to the State Government by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) for the import of skilled migrant workers, I ask -
(1) Isn’t it the case that the Western Australian State Government received a draft emergency agreement from DIMA on 3 August 2006 to allow 150 skilled migrant meat workers entry to Western Australia, on the understanding that subject to State Government approval, the matter would be progressed quickly?
(2) Can the Minister advise his response that he has provided to DIMA on this draft emergency agreement?
(3) Why won’t the Minister sign off on the emergency agreement allowing 150 skilled migrant meat workers entry to Western Australia, averting the crisis, while continuing negotiation of a general meat industry agreement?
(1) Isn’t it the case that the Western Australian State Government received a draft emergency agreement from DIMA on 3 August 2006 to allow 150 skilled migrant meat workers entry to Western Australia, on the understanding that subject to State Government approval, the matter would be progressed quickly?
(2) Can the Minister advise his response that he has provided to DIMA on this draft emergency agreement?
(3) Why won’t the Minister sign off on the emergency agreement allowing 150 skilled migrant meat workers entry to Western Australia, averting the crisis, while continuing negotiation of a general meat industry agreement?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 November 2006
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Small Business
Response time
43 days
(2 - 3) Please note that the State Government received advice on 28 September from the Federal Minister for Immigration, the Hon Senator Vanstone, that the meat industry in Western Australia 'refuses to participate' in a draft emergency agreement prepared by the Federal and State Government's respective officials. I wish to advise that there has been a high level of communication and cooperation between the State and Federal Governments to address the issue of a Labour Agreement for the Western Australian meat processing industry. Importantly, the State Government obtained a number of guarantees in the draft agreement to protect the interests of foreign workers and the existing workforce - including a commitment to pay parity. The State and Federal Governments have signed off on a Labour Agreement to provide International Exporters with immediate access to overseas skilled meat workers to fill twelve positions at its Gingin abattoir - for which there are no Australian workers readily available. International Exporters has agreed to abide by a range of conditions for the overseas skilled workers that other WA meat processors refused to participate in. This document should act as a benchmark for the national meat processing industry agreement which is currently being negotiated.
I wish to advise that there has been a high level of communication and cooperation between the State and Federal Governments to address the issue of a Labour Agreement for the Western Australian meat processing industry. Importantly, the State Government obtained a number of guarantees in the draft agreement to protect the interests of foreign workers and the existing workforce - including a commitment to pay parity. The State and Federal Governments have signed off on a Labour Agreement to provide International Exporters with immediate access to overseas skilled meat workers to fill twelve positions at its Gingin abattoir - for which there are no Australian workers readily available. International Exporters has agreed to abide by a range of conditions for the overseas skilled workers that other WA meat processors refused to participate in. This document should act as a benchmark for the national meat processing industry agreement which is currently being negotiated.
The State and Federal Governments have signed off on a Labour Agreement to provide International Exporters with immediate access to overseas skilled meat workers to fill twelve positions at its Gingin abattoir - for which there are no Australian workers readily available. International Exporters has agreed to abide by a range of conditions for the overseas skilled workers that other WA meat processors refused to participate in. This document should act as a benchmark for the national meat processing industry agreement which is currently being negotiated.
I wish to advise that there has been a high level of communication and cooperation between the State and Federal Governments to address the issue of a Labour Agreement for the Western Australian meat processing industry. Importantly, the State Government obtained a number of guarantees in the draft agreement to protect the interests of foreign workers and the existing workforce - including a commitment to pay parity. The State and Federal Governments have signed off on a Labour Agreement to provide International Exporters with immediate access to overseas skilled meat workers to fill twelve positions at its Gingin abattoir - for which there are no Australian workers readily available. International Exporters has agreed to abide by a range of conditions for the overseas skilled workers that other WA meat processors refused to participate in. This document should act as a benchmark for the national meat processing industry agreement which is currently being negotiated.
The State and Federal Governments have signed off on a Labour Agreement to provide International Exporters with immediate access to overseas skilled meat workers to fill twelve positions at its Gingin abattoir - for which there are no Australian workers readily available. International Exporters has agreed to abide by a range of conditions for the overseas skilled workers that other WA meat processors refused to participate in. This document should act as a benchmark for the national meat processing industry agreement which is currently being negotiated.
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