Notice given 19 July 2006 

2233  Senator Allison: To ask the Minister representing the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs—

(1) How many maternity payments have been made to women to date in each of the following age groups: (a) 15 years or younger; (b) 16 years; (c) 17 years; (d); 18 years; and (e) 19 years.

(2) For each of the calendar years 1996 to 2005, what is the rate and number of pregnancies in Australia.

(3) How does Australia’s rate of teenage pregnancy compare with other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and development (OECD) countries.

(4) How does Australia’s rate of teenage mothers engaged in education compare with other OECD countries.

(5) For each of the calendar years 1996 to 2005, how many grandparents were primary carers of grandchildren.

(6) What is the Government’s position on teenage pregnancy.

(7) Is there a Government Policy on teenage pregnancy; if so, can details be provided.

(8) What, if any, measures are in place to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies in Australia.

2234  Senator Ludwig: To ask the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs—

(1) On what date did Austral Ships first apply for Temporary Business [subclass 457] Visas to bring foreign workers into Australia.

(2) How many visas did Austral request.

(3) (a) On how many subsequent occasions has Austral applied for 457 visas; and (b) on each occasion, how many visas were sought.

(4) (a) What were the skills required by Austral in relation to the above visa applications; (b) how were the skill levels and qualifications of the foreign workers assessed as part of the application process; and (c) how were the skill levels confirmed by the Government prior to visas being issued.

(5) Were the positions linked to the above applications first advertised in Australia; if so: (a) where were these positions advertised; (b) how were they advertised; and (c) on how many occasions were advertisements placed in the media.

 (6) Were the above positions advertised online; if so: (a) through which online services were they advertised; and (b) on how many occasions were these online advertisements placed.

(7) Did Austral seek to find Australian workers to fill the above positions through other means; if so, what were the other methods used by the company to identify Australian workers to fill these positions.

(8) How did the Government ensure that the above positions were properly advertised by Austral prior to the approval of the company’s application for 457 visas.

(9) Is there a minimum wage specified by the Government for the above 457 visa holders employed by Austral; if so: (a) what is the minimum wage; (b) is the minimum wage imposed on the company by way of regulation; (c) is the wage linked to an hourly rate of pay or a specified number of hours per week; and (d) how has the Government satisfied itself that the minimum rate is being paid to the above visa holders.

2235  Senator Ludwig: To ask the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs—

(1) When did the engineering company, United Group first apply for Temporary Business [subclass 457] Visas to bring foreign workers into Australia.

(2) How many visas did United Group request.

(3) (a) On how many subsequent occasions has United Group applied for 457 visas; and (b) on each occasion, how many visas were sought.

(4) (a) What were the skills required by United Group in relation to the above visa applications; (b) how were the skill levels and qualifications of the foreign workers assessed as part of the application process; and (c) how were the skill levels confirmed by the Government prior to visas being issued.

(5) Were the positions linked to the above applications first advertised in Australia; if so: (a) where were these positions advertised; (b) how were they advertised; and (c) on how many occasions were advertisements placed in the media.

(6) Were the above positions advertised online; if so: (a) through which online services were they advertised; and (b) on how many occasions were these online advertisements placed.

(7) Did United Group seek to find Australian workers to fill the above positions through other means; if so, what were the other methods used by the company to identify Australian workers to fill these positions.

(8) How did the Government ensure that the positions were properly advertised by United Group prior to the approval of the company’s application for 457 visas.

(9) Is there a minimum wage specified by the Government for the above 457 visa holders employed by United Group; if so: (a) what is the minimum wage; (b) is the minimum wage imposed on the company by way of regulation; (c) is the wage linked to an hourly rate of pay or a specified number of hours per week; and (d) how has the Government satisfied itself that the minimum rate is being paid to the above visa holders.

2236  Senator Ludwig: To ask the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs—

(1) Has Qantas applied for Temporary Business [subclass 457] Visas to bring foreign workers into Australia; if so, how many visas has Qantas requested.

 (2) (a) On how many occasions has Qantas applied for 457 visas; and (b) on each occasion, how many visas were sought.

(3) (a) What were the skills required by Qantas in relation to the above visa applications; (b) how were the skill levels and qualifications of the foreign workers assessed as part of the application process; and (c) how were the skill levels confirmed by the Government prior to visas being issued.

(4) Were the positions linked to the above applications first advertised in Australia; if so: (a) where were these positions advertised; (b) how were they advertised; and (c) on how many occasions were advertisements placed in the media.

(5) Were these positions advertised online; if so: (a) through which online services were they advertised; and (b) on how many occasions were these online advertisements placed.

(6) Did Qantas seek to find Australian workers to fill the above positions through other means; if so, what were the other methods used by the company to identify Australian workers to fill these positions.

(7) How did the Government ensure that the positions were properly advertised by Qantas prior to the approval of the company’s application for 457 visas.

(8) Is there a minimum wage specified by the Government for the above 457 visa holders employed by Qantas; if so: (a) what is the minimum wage; (b) is the minimum wage imposed on the company by way of regulation; (c) is the wage linked to an hourly rate of pay or a specified number of hours per week; and (d) how has the Government satisfied itself that the minimum rate is being paid to the above visa holders.

2237  Senator Ludwig: To ask the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs—

(1) How many Long Stay Migrant [457] Visas have been issued to foreign workers employed in the red meat processing sector by: (a) month; (b) year; and (c) employer.

(2) Has the Government set a minimum hourly rate for foreign workers holding 457 visas who are employed in the red meat processing sector in line with the Government’s ‘Work Choices’ amendments to the Workplace Relations Act 1997 ; if not: (a) on what basis has the Government determined that the minimum pay rates provided for under the program should be inconsistent with the Work Choices amendments that apply to Australian workers in the red meat processing sector; (b) what is the minimum rate of pay that applies to these workers; (c) how was that rate determined; (d) to what hours of work does the minimum rate apply; and (e) how is the payment of the minimum rate enforced.

(3) Does the Long Stay Migrant Visa Program provide for a reduction in the minimum rate of pay for 457 visa holders employed in regional centres; if so, is the reduction in the minimum rate for these workers set at a specific level or is the rate determined by the specific circumstances of an employer.

(4) If the minimum rate of pay for 457 visa holders in regional centres is set at a specific level, is that rate specified by legislation, or some other form of legal authority; if not: (a) how is the rate set; and (b) how is compliance with the minimum rate enforced.

 (5) If the minimum rate of pay for 457 visa holders employed in regional centres is determined by the specific circumstances of an employer: (a) who determines what the rate of pay will be; (b) who monitors the payments to these workers to ensure that they are paid that rate; (c) what is the quantum of the discretion available to determine pay rates in these circumstances; and (e) how is the quantum determined.