❓ Mr. Logan questions the Premier about WesTrac redundancies, particularly regarding the prioritisation of 457 visa holders over local workers. The Premier acknowledges the job losses but defends the use of 457 visas and WesTrac's employment practices.
AnsweredQoN 876Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WESTRAC —
REDUNDANCIES
876. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the
Premier:
I draw the Premier's attention to the termination of
the employment of approximately 430 employees from the WesTrac facility in
Belmont and across various service sites in WA.
(1) What has the Premier done to make himself personally
aware of the situation?
(2) Does the
Premier think it is acceptable that Western Australian tradespeople, some with
over 20 years' experience at WesTrac, be made redundant before
temporary employees on 457 visas?
(3) Will the
Premier now review his government's overseas skills attraction
policies, given Western Australians are being sacked ahead of temporary foreign
workers?
REDUNDANCIES
876. Mr F.M. LOGAN to the
Premier:
I draw the Premier's attention to the termination of
the employment of approximately 430 employees from the WesTrac facility in
Belmont and across various service sites in WA.
(1) What has the Premier done to make himself personally
aware of the situation?
(2) Does the
Premier think it is acceptable that Western Australian tradespeople, some with
over 20 years' experience at WesTrac, be made redundant before
temporary employees on 457 visas?
(3) Will the
Premier now review his government's overseas skills attraction
policies, given Western Australians are being sacked ahead of temporary foreign
workers?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
It is disappointing that WesTrac has had to reduce its number of employees,
particularly where apprentices are concerned. That is more disappointing. I
think WesTrac employs well over 2 000 people in Western Australia—2 000
to 3 000 people. It is a major employer. Although mining activity is still very
strong in this state, it has come off what was a peak period of activity,
perhaps 18 months ago. WesTrac had built up during that period and it is
reducing. I hope that those people who have unfortunately been retrenched will
be redeployed elsewhere in the industry. Indeed, in recent days and over the
next month or so, I expect that there will be some quite good news about
resource development in Western Australia.
I am advised that WesTrac says
that it has not distinguished between 457 visa workers and other workers; it
has simply had to make a business decision.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cockburn!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is a big employer in Western Australia and it is a big trainer of
apprentices. WesTrac probably carries more apprentices than others in its
industry might. There have been some cutbacks, but it still remains a very
large employer.
Mr F.M. Logan : It's
not some—it's 430!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is, and how many people work in the resources industry and related areas?
Mr F.M. Logan interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cockburn!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
This is not a government decision. I sympathise with people who may have lost
their jobs. There has been some slow down. The 457 visas play an important role
in the resources industry in this state. They should not be abused, though;
they should not be used if there are people who can fill those positions.
Although there may have been some abuse in some cases, I do not think that
applies to WesTrac at all. Indeed, I think the resources industry has gone to
extraordinary lengths to employ local people, particularly in the area of
Aboriginal employment. WesTrac leads Australia in the employment of Aboriginal
people.
It is disappointing that WesTrac has had to reduce its number of employees,
particularly where apprentices are concerned. That is more disappointing. I
think WesTrac employs well over 2 000 people in Western Australia—2 000
to 3 000 people. It is a major employer. Although mining activity is still very
strong in this state, it has come off what was a peak period of activity,
perhaps 18 months ago. WesTrac had built up during that period and it is
reducing. I hope that those people who have unfortunately been retrenched will
be redeployed elsewhere in the industry. Indeed, in recent days and over the
next month or so, I expect that there will be some quite good news about
resource development in Western Australia.
I am advised that WesTrac says
that it has not distinguished between 457 visa workers and other workers; it
has simply had to make a business decision.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cockburn!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is a big employer in Western Australia and it is a big trainer of
apprentices. WesTrac probably carries more apprentices than others in its
industry might. There have been some cutbacks, but it still remains a very
large employer.
Mr F.M. Logan : It's
not some—it's 430!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is, and how many people work in the resources industry and related areas?
Mr F.M. Logan interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cockburn!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
This is not a government decision. I sympathise with people who may have lost
their jobs. There has been some slow down. The 457 visas play an important role
in the resources industry in this state. They should not be abused, though;
they should not be used if there are people who can fill those positions.
Although there may have been some abuse in some cases, I do not think that
applies to WesTrac at all. Indeed, I think the resources industry has gone to
extraordinary lengths to employ local people, particularly in the area of
Aboriginal employment. WesTrac leads Australia in the employment of Aboriginal
people.
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