Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, upon notice, on 6 August 2001:

(1) Does departmental data show that in the period 2000-01 to the end of March there were eleven (457) Visa applications approved in building occupations.

(2) What are the names of the employers that have been approved to sponsor under the (457) Visa.

(3) On what dates were the eleven (457) Visa applications approved.

Mr Ruddock (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) Departmental data confirms that 11 long-stay business visas (subclass 457) were granted overseas in 2000-01 to the end of March under approved nominations for building trade positions.

(2) Disclosure of the details of the sponsoring companies would be inconsistent with the undertakings made by the Department to safeguard information provided by applicants. Applicants would not expect their details to be made public. In the booklet “Sponsoring Temporary Overseas Employees to Australia” and the business sponsorship application (form 1067), sponsors are advised that the information they provide will be used in assessing the sponsorship application and for other purposes relating to the Migration Act, and may also be passed to other government agencies as specified in form 993i (“Safeguarding Your Personal Information”). The agencies specified in form 993i for temporary business entry sponsorships and nominations include the ATO, DETYA, DEWRSB, DISR, and certain State/Territory government departments such as those responsible for industrial relations and employment matters.

(3) The 11 visas were granted on the following dates: