A Labor government would boost the lowest wage that could be paid under a 457-style visa, crack down on the exploitation of foreign workers, and ensure businesses looked to local people first.
While Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton boast about border protection, just quietly the numbers of asylum seekers have increased to a record 27,931 in 2017-18.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Immigration has featured as an issue in every Australian election since 2001. But the numbers often tell a different story from the political posturing.
A few years ago Malcolm Turnbull, as a cabinet minister, would likely have challenged aspects of such measures if they were brought forward.
Lukas Coch/AAP
The Turnbull government is axing the 457 visa program and replacing it with a new Temporary Skill Shortage Visa but it might not have the desired affect on the labour market.
Trade occupations are under the spotlight in the debate on 457 visa workers.
Julian Smith/AAP
Business Briefing: breaking down the 457 visa myths
The Conversation16.4 MB(download)
Policies targeting the 457 visa workers scheme aren't going to improve the employment prospects for low skilled workers and Australia's unemployed, an expert says.
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash recognises the disadvantages faced by temporary migrant workers.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
The taskforce must redesign Australia’s rather chaotic and unfair temporary labour migration program.
Just a little under ten years ago, many situations of temporary migrant labour exploitation would have been framed as issues of labour trafficking.
Dan Himbrechts/AAP
ACTU President Ged Kearney has warned the recently signed China-Australia Free Trade Agreement could lock out Australian workers. Is that true?
In the hospitality sector, employers are 13 times more likely to prefer 457 visa workers than similar Australian workers, data shows.
George Alexander Ishida Newman
New analysis shows that some employers readily admit they use 457 visa workers even when there is no skills shortage in their sector, suggesting that tougher regulation is needed.
Australia has changed from primarily being a destination for permanent settlers to having an increasing number of temporary arrivals.
Ben Beiske/Flickr (modified)
Shanthi Robertson on the changing face of migration
Immigration is a contentious topic in many parts of the world, and the debate in Australia has been predictably framed around asylum seekers, the burdens on taxpayers and the protection of local jobs…
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the selection of five sectors for “growth centres” is not picking winners but “playing to our strengths”.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Charis Palmer, The Conversation and Alexandra Hansen, The Conversation
The federal government has released its National Industry Investment and Competitiveness Agenda, committing around A$400 million towards “industry growth centres”, new tax incentives for employee share…
With 457 visa reform, the Coalition is retracing old and risk-laden territory.
Stefan Postles/AAP
Temporary labour migration in Australia is a highly vexed issue. On the one hand those advocating a rethink of the 457 visa are accused of “turning away skilled, net-contributors to the Australian project…
The government focus on economic migration has meant increased private sector power over who becomes Australian.
Kit/Flickr
Australia’s migration policy has shifted significantly in the past 20 years, leaving a system subject to widespread rorting and controversy. If there is a single lesson to be learnt from the revelations…
The migration industry is out of control, but that doesn’t mean we should give up.
Jack Tran/AAP
Recently leaked Immigration department documents reveal considerable rates of visa fraud in the Australian immigration system. This is of grave concern to the Australian public, especially as unemployment…
Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Senator Michaelia Cash has kicked off a review of 457 visas, but the Australian Workforce Productivity Agency won’t be playing a role.
Stefan Postles/AAP
Although few working Australians would be familiar with the work of the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency, all of us depend on it to some degree. In a shortsighted move, the government has decided…
Senior Research Fellow in Youth, Research & Policy Centre, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Honorary Fellow in Education Policy, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, The University of Melbourne