quote:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...9d9fd742fbe8631
Companies applying to bring in foreign workers will be forced to pay into a national fund to train Australian workers to fill skills shortages, following Malcolm Turnbull’s decision to abolish the controversial 457 visa scheme.

The Australian understands a foreign worker tax will be announced in the budget and will be a mandatory requirement of the new temporary migration system, which will greatly reduce the skill categories allowed, impose a stricter English language test and prevent work visas becoming a path to residency.

The training fund, based on recommendations from the 2014 Azarias report into the 457 program, would mandate a fee paid by companies scaled on their size to provide skills to Australian workers to fill shortages, with a focus on sectors such as IT, aged care and nursing.

Mr Turnbull said the change to an “Australian first” policy was needed to restore integrity to the temporary visa program, which would now be “manifestly, rigorously, resolutely conducted in the national interest to put Australians and Australian jobs first”.

“That’s our commitment: ­Australian jobs, Australian values,” he said.

The moves come as President Donald Trump prepares to sign an executive order today to tighten a visa program that brings high-skilled workers into the US.

The technology start-up community was last night up in arms over the decision, warning of an acute staffing shortage across the sector in Australia.

Atlassian co-founder and co-chief executive Mike Cannon-Brookes, whose tech company is worth more than Qantas, told The Australian 457 visas were essential for Australia, and any move to make bridging the talent gap more difficult would be bad for the country.

The cost of the new scheme will be revealed in the budget and will ­include apprenticeships and mandatory mentoring programs.

The Prime Minister said employers using the scheme would be required to contribute to the fund, to “support skills development and take-up of apprenticeships and traineeships”.

The move to boost the skills of Australians comes after Mr Turnbull announced that the 457 program would be replaced by two new temporary worker visa categories that carry tougher conditions and aimed at “higher skills”.

The ­government’s new scheme will require potential workers to pass tougher English language tests and criminal history checks, and mandate labour market testing for all occupations.

In an unprecedented move, the Turnbull government has removed the eligibility of 216 occupations to bring in foreign workers, including professions added under the previous Labor government. Removed occupations include zookeepers, goat farmers, turf growers, flight attendants and actors.

The 95,000 foreigners already in the country working on 457 visas will not be affected by the changes, with the existing program to be grandfathered.

A fee of $1150 will apply for a short-term visa of two years, while medium-term applicants for a four-year visa will pay $2400.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said the abolition of the 457 program was an attempt to clean up “Labor’s mess”.

“Labor presided over a policy which got out-of-control by their own admission,” Mr Dutton said.

“The existing 457 visa program is conducted for a period of four years, but essentially it is open-ended, and it results, in many cases, in a migration outcome, somebody going into permanent residency and becoming a citizen, which is a significant part of the ­attraction to using the 457 visa.”

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce welcomed the revamped scheme, but stressed the need for regional industries with skills shortages to be able to access foreign workers.

“We understand there are certain areas where we just can’t get Australians to work,” he said. “To be frank, there are jobs that people prefer not to do.”

He pointed to work such as “offal packing” and “boning out skulls” in abattoirs, as examples.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the restructure as a way to restoring public confidence in the migration program.

“It is a chance to hit the reset button on temporary skilled migration,” said ACCI’s acting head Jenny Lambert.

The Australian Mines and Metals Association questioned why the government wanted to overhaul “a responsible skilled ­immigration policy that has ­proven highly responsive to labour ­demand and supported nation-building projects”.

Bill Shorten said the government had made the changes in response to Labor’s “grassroots campaign” on the overseas worker program. “Malcolm Turnbull is ­finally waking up to the importance of protecting Australian jobs,” the Opposition Leader said.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson also took credit for the decision. “The government will deny their tough talk on immigration & plan to ban 457 visas is because of One Nation but we all know the truth!” she said on Twitter.

Australian Council of Trade Unions president Ged Kearney said the announcement was “a cynical attempt to rebrand a wildly unpopular policy”.

“It is unlikely Malcolm Turnbull’s proposal will do anything to remedy the chronic exploitation of our work visa system,” Ms Kearney said.

In an address to ACCI today, Mr Turnbull will argue the case for migration has “dis­integrated in countries where ­people feel their borders are no longer secure and that their governments have lost control”. “Migration out of control has threatened, rather than ­­­re­inforced, the social fabric of these nations,” his speech says.

I would blow Dane Cook posted:

Human resources people are the worst.

Bogan King posted:

1 in 4 teens qualify as seriously mentally ill.

In before 'I thought all teens were mentally ill"

This pug is worried that boomers are destroying the planet and leaving behind nazis and garbage fire for the younger generations

I would blow Dane Cook posted:

Human resources people are the worst.

quote:

“The existing 457 visa program is conducted for a period of four years, but essentially it is open-ended, and it results, in many cases, in a migration outcome, somebody going into permanent residency and becoming a citizen, which is a significant part of the ­attraction to using the 457 visa.”

I would blow Dane Cook posted:

"(I'm not sure if I'll relocate to Armidale:) For the moment, I'm getting on with the job and considering the information on the transition as its provided," The talking points read.

"(I won't be relocating to Armidale.) For the moment, I'm getting on with the job and considering the information on the transition as its provided.

"(I'm pretty sure I'll be relocating to Armidale) I'm listening to what our executive have to say about the transition, but for the moment I'm getting on with the job."

open24hours posted:

This is going to be just like the JSA / private college rort.

WhiskeyWhiskers posted:

Imagine the type of person who uses that at a barbecue, and then imagine the person who thinks other people would use it at a barbecue and pays someone to write it.

Recoome posted:

I like how theres a lot of "wow check out these intolerant lefties" like lol if you think the ALP is a true left-wing party

Bogan King posted:

Looks like the ALP are going challenge the SA Family First senators citizenship after all. While we can't rule out it's the fact that she's a lady that is causing this there are strong signs that it is because she's brown (those signs being Australians are loving racist).

Halo14 posted:

Serious question, what does Tony actually do? What is he being paid for?

open24hours posted:

He's an MP?

Halo14 posted:

Serious question, what does Tony actually do? What is he being paid for?

hiddenmovement posted:

He destroys the liberal party from within, the hero we need not the one we deserve etc

open24hours posted:

I see it more as political opportunism. I'm sure they'd be doing the same thing if she was a white foreigner.

Bogan King posted:

hooman posted:

Mate I'll give you an intolerant lefty *wheels in guillotine*

Mad Katter posted:

I wonder if he's on Strava.

You Am I posted:

I remember an old political cartoon where it was insinuated that Brendon Nelson was a Labor stooge.

Halo14 posted:

Serious question, what does Tony actually do? What is he being paid for?

Quantum Mechanic posted:

Electorate MPs do a few things but primarily they're a a sort of customer service layer for the government - they refer issues that constituents are having with Federal services to the relevant Minister or Department. They also lobby in Parliament for the needs of their electorate and often also work on committees on policy areas they're interested in. They're also local dignitaries and attend community events and meetings.

Most of the time you see someone referred to as "a good MP" it means they're responsive to community complaints, attend lots of meetings and do a lot of local media work - or alternatively they're just an independent liberal or former national because Australians love that for some reason.

Whether Tony actually does those things or not is up for debate but that's the actual role of an electorate MP.

Now, ask that question again of a Senate or Legislative Council major party backbencher - I worked in NSW Parliament for six months and still can't tell you what an upper house backbencher does with their time.

hooman posted:

*circles "Upper house backbencher" on possible future jobs list*

ewe2 posted:

https://twitter.com/annavidot/status/854530183944036352

Armidale isn't enough, we've got to gently caress everyone over.