Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

In relation to the senator's question concerning some statements that the Prime Minister made in October last year and the question of a potential inconsistency, I can advise there is no inconsistency relating to the Prime Minister's statements when he said, in relation to the government's industry, innovation and competitiveness agenda that, 'labour market testing will remain'. The Prime Minister also said at the same press conference that the government wanted the 457 scheme to be easier to engage in, to attract more skills to Australia's economy while not undermining anyone's pay and conditions. While ChAFTA, like our other existing FTAs, achieves this goal by making it easier for companies to move their staff—in a limited number of exempted categories—between China and Australia, it has not otherwise removed the need for labour testing. Rather than reducing opportunities for Australian workers, ChAFTA enhances their prospects for new jobs in Australia. Together with the high-quality FTAs with Japan and South Korea negotiated by the government, ChAFTA will create jobs for Australians, not constrain them. As I stated earlier this week, and again on 22 June, independent modelling commissioned by the government forecasts the three North Asia FTAs to create almost 8,000 jobs in 2016, peaking at almost 15,000 jobs in 2020, as increased exports and cheaper imports allow Australian businesses to hire more workers.