Title Senator Thistlethwaite highlights another policy failure of the Gillard Government
Database Press Releases
Date 28-02-2013
Source HARTSUYKER , LUKE , MP
Author HARTSUYKER, Luke, MP
Citation Id 2264170
Cover date 28 February, 2013
In Government no
MP yes
Pages 1p.
Speech No
System Id media/pressrel/2264170

Senator Thistlethwaite highlights another policy failure of the Gillard Government

Media Contact: Greg Pierce Coffs Harbour: 02 6652 6233 Canberra: 02 6277 4447 Mobile: 0408 532 785

Email: greg.pierce@aph.gov.au

28 February, 2013

Senator Thistlethwaite highlights another policy failure of the Gillard Government

Labor Senator Matt Thistlethwaite has again highlighted another policy failure of the Gillard Government - this time over 457 visas, Federal MP Luke Hartsuyker said today.

Responding to a media release issued the Senator, Mr Hartsuyker said Senator Thistlethwaite was living in denial about his Government’s responsibility for 457 visas.

“The Government’s recent announcement that they were going to tighten the guidelines for issuing 457 visas is an admission of more waste and mismanagement from Federal Labor,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

“The whole concept of 457 visas is that they only be issued where it can be proven that vacant positions cannot be filled by Australian workers.

“Senator Thistlethwaite has effectively confirmed that this has not been happening under the Gillard Government.

“Everyone knows this Government has lost control of our borders. Now they have admitted they have taken their eye off the ball in relation to foreign workers.

“When I walk down the main street of local towns people walk up to me and say we need to secure our borders and put Australia’s interests first.

“This latest 457 visa fiasco is simply Labor spin doctors trying to cover for another policy failure. There is also the suspicion that Federal Labor is trying to appease the unions in the lead-up to the Federal election.

“It’s policy on the run from a Government in chaos.

“The Coalition wants to see Australians go into jobs first. But we understand the need for 457 visas where there are genuine skill shortages.

“If Senator Thistlethwaite was genuinely interested in supporting local jobs he wouldn’t have supported the carbon tax which has increased the cost on local businesses and placed extra pressure on household budgets.”

ENDS