❓ Hon Anthony Fels questions the Minister for Small Business about delays in approving a labour agreement for skilled migrant meatworkers, citing critical labour shortages and drought consequences. The Minister's response indicates the agreement is not yet finalized and a moratorium exists on 457 visas.
AnsweredQoN 728Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MEAT PROCESSING INDUSTRY - SKILLED MIGRANT WORKERS
(1) Can the minister confirm that the International Exporters abattoir at Gingin has met all the state and federal government requirements to sponsor skilled migrant workers to take up unfilled positions at its Gingin abattoir? (2) Given the critical labour shortage in the meat processing industry and the potentially devastating consequences facing farmers and industry alike as a result of the drought - (a) why will the minister not sign off on the industry labour agreement to enable 150 skilled Filipino meatworkers immediate access to visa 457 as approved by Minister Amanda Vanstone in response to Eric Ripper’s request for guest workers for the Western Australian meat processing industry; and (b) why will the minister not sign off on the industry labour agreement to enable all meat processors who meet the agreed terms and conditions of the industry labour agreement immediate access to skilled migrant labour as requested by Treasurer Eric Ripper of federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Amanda Vanstone? Hon Kim Chance : The minister has not approved it. The question is wrong. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Anthony Fels has asked a question and the parliamentary secretary wants to give an answer. At the end of question time I will ask for further answers. If appropriate, further answers may be given then, but I doubt that that will be appropriate. Hon KATE DOUST
(1) Can the minister confirm that the International Exporters abattoir at Gingin has met all the state and federal government requirements to sponsor skilled migrant workers to take up unfilled positions at its Gingin abattoir? (2) Given the critical labour shortage in the meat processing industry and the potentially devastating consequences facing farmers and industry alike as a result of the drought - (a) why will the minister not sign off on the industry labour agreement to enable 150 skilled Filipino meatworkers immediate access to visa 457 as approved by Minister Amanda Vanstone in response to Eric Ripper’s request for guest workers for the Western Australian meat processing industry; and (b) why will the minister not sign off on the industry labour agreement to enable all meat processors who meet the agreed terms and conditions of the industry labour agreement immediate access to skilled migrant labour as requested by Treasurer Eric Ripper of federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Amanda Vanstone? Hon Kim Chance : The minister has not approved it. The question is wrong. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Anthony Fels has asked a question and the parliamentary secretary wants to give an answer. At the end of question time I will ask for further answers. If appropriate, further answers may be given then, but I doubt that that will be appropriate. Hon KATE DOUST
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer - (1) International Exporters has verbally advised Minister Marlborough’s office that it is prepared to meet requirements to sponsor skilled migrants to Western Australia (2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
(2) Given the critical labour shortage in the meat processing industry and the potentially devastating consequences facing farmers and industry alike as a result of the drought - (a) why will the minister not sign off on the industry labour agreement to enable 150 skilled Filipino meatworkers immediate access to visa 457 as approved by Minister Amanda Vanstone in response to Eric Ripper’s request for guest workers for the Western Australian meat processing industry; and (b) why will the minister not sign off on the industry labour agreement to enable all meat processors who meet the agreed terms and conditions of the industry labour agreement immediate access to skilled migrant labour as requested by Treasurer Eric Ripper of federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Amanda Vanstone? Hon Kim Chance : The minister has not approved it. The question is wrong. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Anthony Fels has asked a question and the parliamentary secretary wants to give an answer. At the end of question time I will ask for further answers. If appropriate, further answers may be given then, but I doubt that that will be appropriate. Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer - (1) International Exporters has verbally advised Minister Marlborough’s office that it is prepared to meet requirements to sponsor skilled migrants to Western Australia (2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
(b) why will the minister not sign off on the industry labour agreement to enable all meat processors who meet the agreed terms and conditions of the industry labour agreement immediate access to skilled migrant labour as requested by Treasurer Eric Ripper of federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Amanda Vanstone?
The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Anthony Fels has asked a question and the parliamentary secretary wants to give an answer. At the end of question time I will ask for further answers. If appropriate, further answers may be given then, but I doubt that that will be appropriate. Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer - (1) International Exporters has verbally advised Minister Marlborough’s office that it is prepared to meet requirements to sponsor skilled migrants to Western Australia (2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer - (1) International Exporters has verbally advised Minister Marlborough’s office that it is prepared to meet requirements to sponsor skilled migrants to Western Australia (2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer - (1) International Exporters has verbally advised Minister Marlborough’s office that it is prepared to meet requirements to sponsor skilled migrants to Western Australia (2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
(1) International Exporters has verbally advised Minister Marlborough’s office that it is prepared to meet requirements to sponsor skilled migrants to Western Australia (2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
(2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
(2) Given the critical labour shortage in the meat processing industry and the potentially devastating consequences facing farmers and industry alike as a result of the drought - (a) why will the minister not sign off on the industry labour agreement to enable 150 skilled Filipino meatworkers immediate access to visa 457 as approved by Minister Amanda Vanstone in response to Eric Ripper’s request for guest workers for the Western Australian meat processing industry; and (b) why will the minister not sign off on the industry labour agreement to enable all meat processors who meet the agreed terms and conditions of the industry labour agreement immediate access to skilled migrant labour as requested by Treasurer Eric Ripper of federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Amanda Vanstone? Hon Kim Chance : The minister has not approved it. The question is wrong. The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Anthony Fels has asked a question and the parliamentary secretary wants to give an answer. At the end of question time I will ask for further answers. If appropriate, further answers may be given then, but I doubt that that will be appropriate. Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer - (1) International Exporters has verbally advised Minister Marlborough’s office that it is prepared to meet requirements to sponsor skilled migrants to Western Australia (2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
(b) why will the minister not sign off on the industry labour agreement to enable all meat processors who meet the agreed terms and conditions of the industry labour agreement immediate access to skilled migrant labour as requested by Treasurer Eric Ripper of federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Amanda Vanstone?
The PRESIDENT : Order! Hon Anthony Fels has asked a question and the parliamentary secretary wants to give an answer. At the end of question time I will ask for further answers. If appropriate, further answers may be given then, but I doubt that that will be appropriate. Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer - (1) International Exporters has verbally advised Minister Marlborough’s office that it is prepared to meet requirements to sponsor skilled migrants to Western Australia (2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer - (1) International Exporters has verbally advised Minister Marlborough’s office that it is prepared to meet requirements to sponsor skilled migrants to Western Australia (2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The minister has provided the following answer - (1) International Exporters has verbally advised Minister Marlborough’s office that it is prepared to meet requirements to sponsor skilled migrants to Western Australia (2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
(1) International Exporters has verbally advised Minister Marlborough’s office that it is prepared to meet requirements to sponsor skilled migrants to Western Australia (2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
(2) (a) Minister Vanstone has not approved a labour agreement. She stated in her letter to the acting Premier on 26 July that her department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations are negotiating a labour agreement with the meat industry to address the Australia-wide skills shortages in this industry. She understands that the nature of the crisis in our state necessitates an interim emergency solution. She has asked the department to give priority to the development of this labour agreement and it has advised that progress has already been made. She said that she looks forward to an agreement being ready for signature shortly. To this date, Minister Vanstone has not provided the state government with an agreement ready for signing. (b) To this date no agreement has been reached on terms and conditions. Minister Vanstone has introduced a moratorium on the issuing of the 457-subclass visa in the meat industry. Minister Vanstone alone has the power to lift this moratorium for companies such as International Exporters.
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