❓ Mrs Martin asks about federal government support for skilled labour shortages in the resources sector. Mr Carpenter responds negatively, criticising the federal government's lack of collaboration and inadequate solutions.
AnsweredQoN 199Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to the ongoing issue of skilled labour shortages, especially in the resources sector. Is the federal government doing all it can to help deal with this problem? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Kimberley for the question. The answer to the question is no, the federal government, in my mind, is not doing enough to address the skilled labour shortage, which is affecting Western Australia more than any other state. Members need look only at the approach the federal government is taking to the education and training area to see that, for some bizarre ideological reason, it is finding it impossible to work hand in hand with the state government, which has the resources and infrastructure to help with training. However, the commonwealth is refusing to work with us collaboratively in that area. At the weekend, the commonwealth government ran an advertisement in The Australian titled, “Looking for Skilled Labour Overseas? Give Your Industry the Edge”. Essentially what it is proposing - Point of Order Dr G.I. GALLOP : The Leader of the Opposition walked in front of the minister while he was speaking. I draw that to your attention, Mr Speaker. Mr M.J. BIRNEY : Further to the point of order, the Premier would also have noticed that I actually said sorry when I suddenly realised I had done that. In fact, everybody in the house saw me say sorry. I did it inadvertently. It is hardly worth a point of order. The SPEAKER : I did not see it because I was concentrating on something else. However, whether the Leader of the Opposition meant to do it or did it inadvertently, I call him to order for the first time for that, and I remind all members that when leaving and entering this chamber, they should acknowledge the Chair and not walk between the Chair and the person on his or her feet. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On the surface, I believe the proposition from the commonwealth is reasonable. Basically, the commonwealth is proposing to release up to 10 staff from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to help industry find skilled labour overseas. Unfortunately, our preliminary inquiries, at least, indicate that the department is not looking at state-based organisations but at only national umbrella organisations, which would therefore effectively exclude Western Australia. That is unfortunate, but not atypical of the commonwealth’s approach to Western Australia and the issues that confront us in Western Australia. Potentially, it excludes, for example, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia - we understand it is unhappy about the proposition - the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia and the state branch of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd. In addition, the advertisement gives just 10 working days for submissions to be put in, and the advertisement was run in only that one newspaper. I believe that is inadequate time and inadequate coverage. I really wonder whether the federal government actually understands the critical importance of the resources industry in Western Australia to the national economy - I do not think there is any evidence that it does - and the issues that confront our resources industry in attracting and finding skilled labour. I do not think it does. The federal government needs to change its approach to this issue immediately. I hope that we can get some support from the other side of politics. It needs to take the same approach that it seems to be taking to industrial relations to the provision of skilled labour in all the states.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Kimberley for the question. The answer to the question is no, the federal government, in my mind, is not doing enough to address the skilled labour shortage, which is affecting Western Australia more than any other state. Members need look only at the approach the federal government is taking to the education and training area to see that, for some bizarre ideological reason, it is finding it impossible to work hand in hand with the state government, which has the resources and infrastructure to help with training. However, the commonwealth is refusing to work with us collaboratively in that area. At the weekend, the commonwealth government ran an advertisement in The Australian titled, “Looking for Skilled Labour Overseas? Give Your Industry the Edge”. Essentially what it is proposing - Point of Order Dr G.I. GALLOP : The Leader of the Opposition walked in front of the minister while he was speaking. I draw that to your attention, Mr Speaker. Mr M.J. BIRNEY : Further to the point of order, the Premier would also have noticed that I actually said sorry when I suddenly realised I had done that. In fact, everybody in the house saw me say sorry. I did it inadvertently. It is hardly worth a point of order. The SPEAKER : I did not see it because I was concentrating on something else. However, whether the Leader of the Opposition meant to do it or did it inadvertently, I call him to order for the first time for that, and I remind all members that when leaving and entering this chamber, they should acknowledge the Chair and not walk between the Chair and the person on his or her feet. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On the surface, I believe the proposition from the commonwealth is reasonable. Basically, the commonwealth is proposing to release up to 10 staff from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to help industry find skilled labour overseas. Unfortunately, our preliminary inquiries, at least, indicate that the department is not looking at state-based organisations but at only national umbrella organisations, which would therefore effectively exclude Western Australia. That is unfortunate, but not atypical of the commonwealth’s approach to Western Australia and the issues that confront us in Western Australia. Potentially, it excludes, for example, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia - we understand it is unhappy about the proposition - the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia and the state branch of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd. In addition, the advertisement gives just 10 working days for submissions to be put in, and the advertisement was run in only that one newspaper. I believe that is inadequate time and inadequate coverage. I really wonder whether the federal government actually understands the critical importance of the resources industry in Western Australia to the national economy - I do not think there is any evidence that it does - and the issues that confront our resources industry in attracting and finding skilled labour. I do not think it does. The federal government needs to change its approach to this issue immediately. I hope that we can get some support from the other side of politics. It needs to take the same approach that it seems to be taking to industrial relations to the provision of skilled labour in all the states.
I thank the member for Kimberley for the question. The answer to the question is no, the federal government, in my mind, is not doing enough to address the skilled labour shortage, which is affecting Western Australia more than any other state. Members need look only at the approach the federal government is taking to the education and training area to see that, for some bizarre ideological reason, it is finding it impossible to work hand in hand with the state government, which has the resources and infrastructure to help with training. However, the commonwealth is refusing to work with us collaboratively in that area. At the weekend, the commonwealth government ran an advertisement in The Australian titled, “Looking for Skilled Labour Overseas? Give Your Industry the Edge”. Essentially what it is proposing - Point of Order Dr G.I. GALLOP : The Leader of the Opposition walked in front of the minister while he was speaking. I draw that to your attention, Mr Speaker. Mr M.J. BIRNEY : Further to the point of order, the Premier would also have noticed that I actually said sorry when I suddenly realised I had done that. In fact, everybody in the house saw me say sorry. I did it inadvertently. It is hardly worth a point of order. The SPEAKER : I did not see it because I was concentrating on something else. However, whether the Leader of the Opposition meant to do it or did it inadvertently, I call him to order for the first time for that, and I remind all members that when leaving and entering this chamber, they should acknowledge the Chair and not walk between the Chair and the person on his or her feet. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On the surface, I believe the proposition from the commonwealth is reasonable. Basically, the commonwealth is proposing to release up to 10 staff from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to help industry find skilled labour overseas. Unfortunately, our preliminary inquiries, at least, indicate that the department is not looking at state-based organisations but at only national umbrella organisations, which would therefore effectively exclude Western Australia. That is unfortunate, but not atypical of the commonwealth’s approach to Western Australia and the issues that confront us in Western Australia. Potentially, it excludes, for example, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia - we understand it is unhappy about the proposition - the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia and the state branch of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd. In addition, the advertisement gives just 10 working days for submissions to be put in, and the advertisement was run in only that one newspaper. I believe that is inadequate time and inadequate coverage. I really wonder whether the federal government actually understands the critical importance of the resources industry in Western Australia to the national economy - I do not think there is any evidence that it does - and the issues that confront our resources industry in attracting and finding skilled labour. I do not think it does. The federal government needs to change its approach to this issue immediately. I hope that we can get some support from the other side of politics. It needs to take the same approach that it seems to be taking to industrial relations to the provision of skilled labour in all the states.
Mr M.J. BIRNEY : Further to the point of order, the Premier would also have noticed that I actually said sorry when I suddenly realised I had done that. In fact, everybody in the house saw me say sorry. I did it inadvertently. It is hardly worth a point of order. The SPEAKER : I did not see it because I was concentrating on something else. However, whether the Leader of the Opposition meant to do it or did it inadvertently, I call him to order for the first time for that, and I remind all members that when leaving and entering this chamber, they should acknowledge the Chair and not walk between the Chair and the person on his or her feet. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On the surface, I believe the proposition from the commonwealth is reasonable. Basically, the commonwealth is proposing to release up to 10 staff from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to help industry find skilled labour overseas. Unfortunately, our preliminary inquiries, at least, indicate that the department is not looking at state-based organisations but at only national umbrella organisations, which would therefore effectively exclude Western Australia. That is unfortunate, but not atypical of the commonwealth’s approach to Western Australia and the issues that confront us in Western Australia. Potentially, it excludes, for example, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia - we understand it is unhappy about the proposition - the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia and the state branch of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd. In addition, the advertisement gives just 10 working days for submissions to be put in, and the advertisement was run in only that one newspaper. I believe that is inadequate time and inadequate coverage. I really wonder whether the federal government actually understands the critical importance of the resources industry in Western Australia to the national economy - I do not think there is any evidence that it does - and the issues that confront our resources industry in attracting and finding skilled labour. I do not think it does. The federal government needs to change its approach to this issue immediately. I hope that we can get some support from the other side of politics. It needs to take the same approach that it seems to be taking to industrial relations to the provision of skilled labour in all the states.
The SPEAKER : I did not see it because I was concentrating on something else. However, whether the Leader of the Opposition meant to do it or did it inadvertently, I call him to order for the first time for that, and I remind all members that when leaving and entering this chamber, they should acknowledge the Chair and not walk between the Chair and the person on his or her feet. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On the surface, I believe the proposition from the commonwealth is reasonable. Basically, the commonwealth is proposing to release up to 10 staff from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to help industry find skilled labour overseas. Unfortunately, our preliminary inquiries, at least, indicate that the department is not looking at state-based organisations but at only national umbrella organisations, which would therefore effectively exclude Western Australia. That is unfortunate, but not atypical of the commonwealth’s approach to Western Australia and the issues that confront us in Western Australia. Potentially, it excludes, for example, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia - we understand it is unhappy about the proposition - the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia and the state branch of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd. In addition, the advertisement gives just 10 working days for submissions to be put in, and the advertisement was run in only that one newspaper. I believe that is inadequate time and inadequate coverage. I really wonder whether the federal government actually understands the critical importance of the resources industry in Western Australia to the national economy - I do not think there is any evidence that it does - and the issues that confront our resources industry in attracting and finding skilled labour. I do not think it does. The federal government needs to change its approach to this issue immediately. I hope that we can get some support from the other side of politics. It needs to take the same approach that it seems to be taking to industrial relations to the provision of skilled labour in all the states.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Kimberley for the question. The answer to the question is no, the federal government, in my mind, is not doing enough to address the skilled labour shortage, which is affecting Western Australia more than any other state. Members need look only at the approach the federal government is taking to the education and training area to see that, for some bizarre ideological reason, it is finding it impossible to work hand in hand with the state government, which has the resources and infrastructure to help with training. However, the commonwealth is refusing to work with us collaboratively in that area. At the weekend, the commonwealth government ran an advertisement in The Australian titled, “Looking for Skilled Labour Overseas? Give Your Industry the Edge”. Essentially what it is proposing - Point of Order Dr G.I. GALLOP : The Leader of the Opposition walked in front of the minister while he was speaking. I draw that to your attention, Mr Speaker. Mr M.J. BIRNEY : Further to the point of order, the Premier would also have noticed that I actually said sorry when I suddenly realised I had done that. In fact, everybody in the house saw me say sorry. I did it inadvertently. It is hardly worth a point of order. The SPEAKER : I did not see it because I was concentrating on something else. However, whether the Leader of the Opposition meant to do it or did it inadvertently, I call him to order for the first time for that, and I remind all members that when leaving and entering this chamber, they should acknowledge the Chair and not walk between the Chair and the person on his or her feet. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On the surface, I believe the proposition from the commonwealth is reasonable. Basically, the commonwealth is proposing to release up to 10 staff from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to help industry find skilled labour overseas. Unfortunately, our preliminary inquiries, at least, indicate that the department is not looking at state-based organisations but at only national umbrella organisations, which would therefore effectively exclude Western Australia. That is unfortunate, but not atypical of the commonwealth’s approach to Western Australia and the issues that confront us in Western Australia. Potentially, it excludes, for example, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia - we understand it is unhappy about the proposition - the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia and the state branch of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd. In addition, the advertisement gives just 10 working days for submissions to be put in, and the advertisement was run in only that one newspaper. I believe that is inadequate time and inadequate coverage. I really wonder whether the federal government actually understands the critical importance of the resources industry in Western Australia to the national economy - I do not think there is any evidence that it does - and the issues that confront our resources industry in attracting and finding skilled labour. I do not think it does. The federal government needs to change its approach to this issue immediately. I hope that we can get some support from the other side of politics. It needs to take the same approach that it seems to be taking to industrial relations to the provision of skilled labour in all the states.
I thank the member for Kimberley for the question. The answer to the question is no, the federal government, in my mind, is not doing enough to address the skilled labour shortage, which is affecting Western Australia more than any other state. Members need look only at the approach the federal government is taking to the education and training area to see that, for some bizarre ideological reason, it is finding it impossible to work hand in hand with the state government, which has the resources and infrastructure to help with training. However, the commonwealth is refusing to work with us collaboratively in that area. At the weekend, the commonwealth government ran an advertisement in The Australian titled, “Looking for Skilled Labour Overseas? Give Your Industry the Edge”. Essentially what it is proposing - Point of Order Dr G.I. GALLOP : The Leader of the Opposition walked in front of the minister while he was speaking. I draw that to your attention, Mr Speaker. Mr M.J. BIRNEY : Further to the point of order, the Premier would also have noticed that I actually said sorry when I suddenly realised I had done that. In fact, everybody in the house saw me say sorry. I did it inadvertently. It is hardly worth a point of order. The SPEAKER : I did not see it because I was concentrating on something else. However, whether the Leader of the Opposition meant to do it or did it inadvertently, I call him to order for the first time for that, and I remind all members that when leaving and entering this chamber, they should acknowledge the Chair and not walk between the Chair and the person on his or her feet. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On the surface, I believe the proposition from the commonwealth is reasonable. Basically, the commonwealth is proposing to release up to 10 staff from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to help industry find skilled labour overseas. Unfortunately, our preliminary inquiries, at least, indicate that the department is not looking at state-based organisations but at only national umbrella organisations, which would therefore effectively exclude Western Australia. That is unfortunate, but not atypical of the commonwealth’s approach to Western Australia and the issues that confront us in Western Australia. Potentially, it excludes, for example, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia - we understand it is unhappy about the proposition - the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia and the state branch of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd. In addition, the advertisement gives just 10 working days for submissions to be put in, and the advertisement was run in only that one newspaper. I believe that is inadequate time and inadequate coverage. I really wonder whether the federal government actually understands the critical importance of the resources industry in Western Australia to the national economy - I do not think there is any evidence that it does - and the issues that confront our resources industry in attracting and finding skilled labour. I do not think it does. The federal government needs to change its approach to this issue immediately. I hope that we can get some support from the other side of politics. It needs to take the same approach that it seems to be taking to industrial relations to the provision of skilled labour in all the states.
Mr M.J. BIRNEY : Further to the point of order, the Premier would also have noticed that I actually said sorry when I suddenly realised I had done that. In fact, everybody in the house saw me say sorry. I did it inadvertently. It is hardly worth a point of order. The SPEAKER : I did not see it because I was concentrating on something else. However, whether the Leader of the Opposition meant to do it or did it inadvertently, I call him to order for the first time for that, and I remind all members that when leaving and entering this chamber, they should acknowledge the Chair and not walk between the Chair and the person on his or her feet. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On the surface, I believe the proposition from the commonwealth is reasonable. Basically, the commonwealth is proposing to release up to 10 staff from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to help industry find skilled labour overseas. Unfortunately, our preliminary inquiries, at least, indicate that the department is not looking at state-based organisations but at only national umbrella organisations, which would therefore effectively exclude Western Australia. That is unfortunate, but not atypical of the commonwealth’s approach to Western Australia and the issues that confront us in Western Australia. Potentially, it excludes, for example, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia - we understand it is unhappy about the proposition - the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia and the state branch of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd. In addition, the advertisement gives just 10 working days for submissions to be put in, and the advertisement was run in only that one newspaper. I believe that is inadequate time and inadequate coverage. I really wonder whether the federal government actually understands the critical importance of the resources industry in Western Australia to the national economy - I do not think there is any evidence that it does - and the issues that confront our resources industry in attracting and finding skilled labour. I do not think it does. The federal government needs to change its approach to this issue immediately. I hope that we can get some support from the other side of politics. It needs to take the same approach that it seems to be taking to industrial relations to the provision of skilled labour in all the states.
The SPEAKER : I did not see it because I was concentrating on something else. However, whether the Leader of the Opposition meant to do it or did it inadvertently, I call him to order for the first time for that, and I remind all members that when leaving and entering this chamber, they should acknowledge the Chair and not walk between the Chair and the person on his or her feet. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On the surface, I believe the proposition from the commonwealth is reasonable. Basically, the commonwealth is proposing to release up to 10 staff from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to help industry find skilled labour overseas. Unfortunately, our preliminary inquiries, at least, indicate that the department is not looking at state-based organisations but at only national umbrella organisations, which would therefore effectively exclude Western Australia. That is unfortunate, but not atypical of the commonwealth’s approach to Western Australia and the issues that confront us in Western Australia. Potentially, it excludes, for example, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia - we understand it is unhappy about the proposition - the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia and the state branch of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd. In addition, the advertisement gives just 10 working days for submissions to be put in, and the advertisement was run in only that one newspaper. I believe that is inadequate time and inadequate coverage. I really wonder whether the federal government actually understands the critical importance of the resources industry in Western Australia to the national economy - I do not think there is any evidence that it does - and the issues that confront our resources industry in attracting and finding skilled labour. I do not think it does. The federal government needs to change its approach to this issue immediately. I hope that we can get some support from the other side of politics. It needs to take the same approach that it seems to be taking to industrial relations to the provision of skilled labour in all the states.
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