Shorten fails to own up to issuing record 457 visas

16 NOVEMBER 2016: Opposition Leader Bill Shorten missed a golden opportunity today to explain to North Queenslanders why he signed off on a record number of 457 visas when he was the Employment Minister. Although the purpose of Mr Shorten’s Mackay visit was to talk about 457 visas, he failed to mention that Labor oversaw the largest increase in 457 visas during their last term of government.Mr Shorten is saying one thing in opposition but did the opposite when he was in government. In Labor’s last term in government, they grew the number of primary 457 visa holders from 68,400 to more than 110,000 while Bill Shorten was the Employment Minister. In contrast, under the Liberal National Government, around half a million jobs have been created for Australians and the number of 457 visa holders has fallen by around 13,000 since coming to office. Today, the Liberal National Government announced further tightening of regulations. The tighter rules will mean a 457 visa holder who finds themselves out of work will have just two months to find a new job before having to leave the country.This week I called for a ban on 457 visas in Central and North Queensland where unemployment was high because Australian jobs should go to Australian workers. North Queenslanders know I have consistently stood up for local jobs and local workers, especially railing against abuse of the 457 visa system and toxic 100% FIFO policies. I have constantly pushed in Canberra for changes to the 457 visa system, both in opposition and in government, and as a result of that advocacy, the Liberal National Government cracked down on the 457 visa system last year.The Liberal National Government commissioned an Independent Review into 457 visas and then acted on recommendations to tighten up on abuse of the system, including:

• A new, enforceable Regulation requiring employers to look locally first before they sponsor a 457 visa.   Employers who breach this new obligation may face fines, suspension or cancellation from the 457 program, or be subject to a civil penalty order ordered by the courts.
• New legislation, making it a civil and criminal offence for employers and visa applicants who solicit or receive payment in return for a visa sponsorship.
• Additional resources for investigating and prosecuting employers who don’t meet their obligations.