The MTA WA welcomes Government response to calls for migration shake-up
The launch of the Commonwealth’s "Outline of the Government's Migration Strategy" is a promising response to calls from industry peak bodies, including the MTA WA, for major reform of Australia’s broken migration system.
Federal Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil likened the current system to a ”tangled bowl of spaghetti” noting the absurdity of a scheme that has, “a Visa class for just about everything, including one specifically for the crew of superyachts.”
The Minister also confirmed the Government has listened to our advocacy by specifically acknowledging the critical need to urgently address the prohibitive costs and timeframes for businesses to recruit skilled migrants to fill long term vacancies.
It is noted that the government’s document doesn’t contain detailed plans and might therefore be dismissed by a cynic as little more than glossy spin. However, it is clear from the unusually frank language chosen that this government is genuine about reforms and believes it can deliver substantial improvements – with the very real political need to do so before the next election in around 18 months’ time!
For example, page two identifies some of the current challenges and includes the following candid self-assessment:
The system is too complex for employers and migrants
As other countries make simpler, more appealing offers to skilled migrants, our migration system has become more complex so we risk losing our edge
in the global race for talent. We load the system up with over a hundred different visas, arcane rules and multiple requirements...
Employers are subject to a complex labour market testing process that unions and business agree is not working.”
This, and the many other refreshingly forthright statements in the government’s outline, are seriously encouraging.
As members know, the chronic shortage of local skilled labour has become so significant, the MTA recently partnered with a migration agent to provide a streamlined process for members needing to fill critical vacancies by trying to recruit staff from overseas.
Despite that partnership delivering substantial reductions in the usual administrative, financial and time burdens for MTA members, the sacrifices required to recruit and retain a skilled migrant are well beyond the capacity of many businesses – especially small and medium sized ones.
Of course, the proof will be in the pudding and there is a lot of work still needed to finalise a winning recipe. But the government’s almost brutal self-assessment of the current mess and willingness to voluntarily go out on a limb promising to clean it up is a very positive and promising step forward.
