Eric Hutchinson (Lyons, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I was not exactly sure what the motivation for this motion originally was, but it is becoming abundantly clear. What I have learned in the short time that I have been in this parliament is that you judge those on the other side not by what they say but by what they do, and their actions in government bear no resemblance at all to what they say now in opposition. They claim this is about 417s, and it was, as was highlighted by the member for Dawson. Of course there are instances where misuse of 417, 462 and 457 visa categories should be called out. That should be brought before the law because under Australian law that sort of behaviour is illegal and will be prosecuted. When we came to government we were made aware that there were issues with some of these visa schemes, and we made it our business to conduct an inquiry into them. It was a very deep and far-reaching inquiry. It was found that there are circumstances in which this occurs, and those people behaving inappropriately under those visa schemes will be—and rightly should be—prosecuted.

The hypocrisy of those opposite, when the number of 457 visas ballooned under the previous government. In 2010 there were 68,000 457 visas. By September 2013, at the time of the GFC, the labour market was declining, apparently, and we had to throw money here, there and everywhere at pink batts, school halls and whatever else it was. The number of 457 visas grew to 110,000 by September 2013. That number has now reduced, in a labour market that has expanded. In relation to the hypocrisy and the comments of those on the other side, the only thing I can really think of is xenophobia.

Can I speak specifically about my electorate of Lyons in Tasmania and the importance of the 417 visa category, particularly to the fruit growing sector—be that strawberries, raspberries or cherries—for a short period of the year, from December through until February. Businesses in my electorate like Burlington Berries, Costa's and Tim Reid's in the Derwent Valley very much depend on these visas. They need to pick the fruit when it is ready to be picked, and if they cannot source all the local labour that they need, they use 417 visa workers to do that. As we are opening up markets under the free trade—

Debate adjourned.

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