❓ Mr Logan questions the Premier about WesTrac redundancies, specifically the employment of 457 visa workers while apprentices are sacked despite government subsidies. The Premier defends the situation, citing skill mix and overall strong employment figures in WA.
AnsweredQoN 877Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WESTRAC —
REDUNDANCIES
877. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question. How can the Western
Australian government accept that a company continues to employ 457 visa
temporary workers while sacking 75 apprentices whom the Western Australian
government paid $7 000 each to WesTrac to employ?
REDUNDANCIES
877. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question. How can the Western
Australian government accept that a company continues to employ 457 visa
temporary workers while sacking 75 apprentices whom the Western Australian
government paid $7 000 each to WesTrac to employ?
AnswerView source ↗
I would imagine it is about the skill mix of the people
working there, not whether they are 457 visa workers or residents of Australia.
Mr F.M. Logan :
Western Australians are losing their jobs ahead of 457 visa workers!
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cockburn!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
There have been some job losses, and there have been job losses in other areas
of the resources industry.
Mr F.M. Logan : So
that's okay?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
No. There have been job losses in other parts of the resources industry. But I
can tell the member that in this state employment is stronger than in any other
state. The unemployment rate of 4.3 per cent is lower than that of any state in
Australia. Our economic growth rate is higher than that of any other state in
Australia. Our prospects are far, far stronger and one reason for that is good
government. It is in sharp contrast —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members! Member for Cockburn, you have made your point more than once.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
am not aware that 457 visa employees are being employed ahead of locals if the
skills are comparable.
Mr F.M. Logan :
Then find out, Premier; that's what I asked you to do. That's
exactly what's happening.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
understand the member's passion about this area, so if he can provide
evidence that 457 visa workers are being given preference over local workers, I
will look at it, but I have no evidence of that.
working there, not whether they are 457 visa workers or residents of Australia.
Mr F.M. Logan :
Western Australians are losing their jobs ahead of 457 visa workers!
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cockburn!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
There have been some job losses, and there have been job losses in other areas
of the resources industry.
Mr F.M. Logan : So
that's okay?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
No. There have been job losses in other parts of the resources industry. But I
can tell the member that in this state employment is stronger than in any other
state. The unemployment rate of 4.3 per cent is lower than that of any state in
Australia. Our economic growth rate is higher than that of any other state in
Australia. Our prospects are far, far stronger and one reason for that is good
government. It is in sharp contrast —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members! Member for Cockburn, you have made your point more than once.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
am not aware that 457 visa employees are being employed ahead of locals if the
skills are comparable.
Mr F.M. Logan :
Then find out, Premier; that's what I asked you to do. That's
exactly what's happening.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
understand the member's passion about this area, so if he can provide
evidence that 457 visa workers are being given preference over local workers, I
will look at it, but I have no evidence of that.
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