Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Johnston—a passionate advocate for jobs, trade and growth in the Australian economy—for this question. The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement emphatically does not change the requirement for Chinese workers working in Australia to meet Australian standards. There is, though, quite a misleading campaign underway in relation to this. It is a misleading campaign coming, it seems, from none other than those opposite, led by the man who pretends to be the alternative Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Shorten. Mr Shorten, last week, was in Western Australia. In Western Australia he said:

… if we're going to bring in plumbers who might come and work on your house or electricians who might go into your roof, what we want to make sure of is that their skills, and training and safety knowledge are up to Australian standards.

They will be up to Australian standards, because they will have to meet exactly the same standards in terms of qualifications and skills as any other 457 worker coming into Australia or indeed as any Australian undertaking such jobs. This is a complete fabrication by Mr Shorten. I heard Senator Wong, in response to Senator Cash's answer before, talking about people who just keep fibbing. It is Mr Shorten who is fibbing and it is Senator Wong who is fibbing. Mr Shorten backed it up the following day, last Friday, when he said:

… it is important that their skills and accreditation … that their skills and safety standards are up to Australian standards.

They will be. Under ChAFTA, wages and employment conditions will apply just as they do to anyone else working in Australia. Relevant licensing requirements will apply, including identity, work history, qualifications, references, documents and the processes under Trades Recognition Australia. Australians can have confidence in the plumbers, electricians and others who may work under this agreement. (Time expired)