Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I have a question without notice for the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. I refer the minister to Senate estimates of 30 October. Is the minister aware that the immigration department admitted that their monitoring of section 457 employers was simply to send questionnaires? Is the minister aware that in the last financial year the department visited only 18 per cent of the section 457 sites, down from 25 per cent the previous year, despite an increase in sponsors of 20 per cent? Is the minister aware that, with such inspections, the department admitted giving advance notice and, as a result, sponsors had time to cover up unlawful practices, such as workers doing unskilled work, and that rorts such as deducting exorbitant rents are being dismissed as a responsibility of the state government or the Office of Workplace Services, neither agency holding enforcement powers? Finally, could the minister agree to the necessity for reform in the light of a statement made by the manager—

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