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ADDITIONAL COMMENTS BY LIBERAL SENATORS
1.1
The Coalition has grave concerns about the issues highlighted by the
lack of availability of the regulations attached to the Migration Legislation
Amendment (Worker Protection) Bill 2008. Whilst the Coalition is conscious of
the various instances of exploitation of workers, it is important that
legislation defining obligations be upfront and specific.
1.2
It is very important that the reputation of Australia and Australian
sponsors of temporary labour be maintained and this good reputation not be
eroded.
1.3
In this respect, the Coalition believes that a framework for sponsor
obligations is necessary. Indeed, it was a process that the Coalition
commenced through the Migration Amendment (Sponsorship Obligations) Bill 2007.
Then Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon Kevin Andrews MP,
allocated additional resources to ensure implementation of more streamlined
processes in this area.
1.4
We share the concerns that have been highlighted by the majority of the
submissions to this Inquiry. In particular, the imposition of obligations on
sponsors which are yet unknown and which are contained in regulations which the
government has not yet introduced and the potential for ongoing changes of
obligations by regulation in the future are of great concern. Indeed, a number
of witnesses actually advocated that the Bill be deferred until the regulations
are presented and considered so that passage of the Bill and regulations could
be effected together.
1.5
The Coalition is very disappointed that the Deegan Report is not yet
available. The Government has made much of the consultation process, although
the adequacy of this consultation process was questioned by a number of
witnesses in this Inquiry.
1.6
The Coalition takes at face value the Government’s indications about
sponsor obligations. However, the Coalition places on record its concerns
about the enactment of legislation which imposes obligations which are not
available for scrutiny at this point but are to be contained in regulations
which will be available at some stage in the future.
1.7
The Coalition, notwithstanding its concerns, does not want to delay the
protection of workers and therefore will support the passage of the Bill.
Senator Guy Barnett
Deputy Chair
Senator
Fierravanti-Wells
Senator Mary Jo Fisher
Senator
Trood
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