A member of parliament questions the Minister for Small Business regarding a draft emergency agreement from the federal Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) to allow 150 skilled migrant meatworkers entry to Western Australia. The Minister requests the question be placed on notice due to the need for information from multiple departments.

AnsweredQoN 746Legislative Council
Asked
14 September 2006
Portfolio
Small Business

QuestionView source ↗

MEAT PROCESSING INDUSTRY - SKILLED MIGRANT MEATWORKERS
I refer to the emergency agreement provided to the state government by the federal Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs for the import of skilled migrant meatworkers. (1) Is 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 meatworkers entry to Western Australia on the understanding that, subject to state government approval, the matter would be progressed quickly? (2) Can the minister advise the house of the response he has provided to DIMA on this draft emergency agreement? (3) Why will the minister not sign off on the emergency agreement allowing 150 skilled migrant meatworkers entry to Western Australia, thereby averting the crisis while continuing negotiation of a general meat industry agreement? Hon KATE DOUST

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. Providing a response in the time required is not possible, as information is needed from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Agriculture and Food. Therefore, I request that the member place this question on notice.
(1) Is 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 meatworkers entry to Western Australia on the understanding that, subject to state government approval, the matter would be progressed quickly? (2) Can the minister advise the house of the response he has provided to DIMA on this draft emergency agreement? (3) Why will the minister not sign off on the emergency agreement allowing 150 skilled migrant meatworkers entry to Western Australia, thereby averting the crisis while continuing negotiation of a general meat industry agreement? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Providing a response in the time required is not possible, as information is needed from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Agriculture and Food. Therefore, I request that the member place this question on notice.
(2) Can the minister advise the house of the response he has provided to DIMA on this draft emergency agreement? (3) Why will the minister not sign off on the emergency agreement allowing 150 skilled migrant meatworkers entry to Western Australia, thereby averting the crisis while continuing negotiation of a general meat industry agreement? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Providing a response in the time required is not possible, as information is needed from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Agriculture and Food. Therefore, I request that the member place this question on notice.
(3) Why will the minister not sign off on the emergency agreement allowing 150 skilled migrant meatworkers entry to Western Australia, thereby averting the crisis while continuing negotiation of a general meat industry agreement? Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Providing a response in the time required is not possible, as information is needed from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Agriculture and Food. Therefore, I request that the member place this question on notice.
Hon KATE DOUST replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. Providing a response in the time required is not possible, as information is needed from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Agriculture and Food. Therefore, I request that the member place this question on notice.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. Providing a response in the time required is not possible, as information is needed from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Department of Agriculture and Food. Therefore, I request that the member place this question on notice.

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