5 years ago
DUTTON’S VISA PRIVATISATION PLAN THREATENS JOBS IN CAIRNS
ANDREW GILES MP
The Morrison Government’s plan to privatise Australia’s visa processing system threatens jobs in Far North Queensland.
The LNP's unfair plan could lead to the loss of around 2,000 jobs Australia-wide. We know that 250 jobs are at risk in Queensland. How many of those will come from Cairns?
Under the LNP’s plan, private providers will be given licence to run Australia’s visa system as a for-profit business.
Privatising our visa system will lead to cuts to services, increased risk of visa fraud, worker exploitation and data security breaches.
Australians don’t want to see our visa system privatised, and they certainly don’t want to see people lose their jobs.
Labor Senator for Queensland Nita Green said good, well-paying local jobs could be lost in Cairns.
“It’s just not good enough that Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton are risking further local jobs by selling off our visa system. This really shows that the LNP doesn’t care about Cairns,” Ms Green said.
Shadow Minister Assisting for Immigration and Citizenship Andrew Giles MP said the Department of Home Affairs last year outsourced 250 departmental call centre jobs to the New Zealand company Datacom, while the Department of Human Services outsourced 250 Centrelink jobs to Serco.
“We know that visa processing times have blown out of control under the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government.
“Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and the LNP appear determined to outsource and sell off parts of Australia’s immigration system for the highest possible bidder.
“To make matters worse, LNP backroom dealer, Scott Briggs, a close friend of Scott Morrison and a former colleague of Immigration Minister David Coleman — is a major investor in one of the bids to win the contract worth more than $1 billion.
Scott Morrison and David Coleman have recused themselves from this process – but this still doesn’t pass the pub test.
“The Morrison Government must stop its plan to privatise Australia’s visa system, immediately,” Mr Giles said.
The LNP's unfair plan could lead to the loss of around 2,000 jobs Australia-wide. We know that 250 jobs are at risk in Queensland. How many of those will come from Cairns?
Under the LNP’s plan, private providers will be given licence to run Australia’s visa system as a for-profit business.
Privatising our visa system will lead to cuts to services, increased risk of visa fraud, worker exploitation and data security breaches.
Australians don’t want to see our visa system privatised, and they certainly don’t want to see people lose their jobs.
Labor Senator for Queensland Nita Green said good, well-paying local jobs could be lost in Cairns.
“It’s just not good enough that Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton are risking further local jobs by selling off our visa system. This really shows that the LNP doesn’t care about Cairns,” Ms Green said.
Shadow Minister Assisting for Immigration and Citizenship Andrew Giles MP said the Department of Home Affairs last year outsourced 250 departmental call centre jobs to the New Zealand company Datacom, while the Department of Human Services outsourced 250 Centrelink jobs to Serco.
“We know that visa processing times have blown out of control under the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government.
“Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and the LNP appear determined to outsource and sell off parts of Australia’s immigration system for the highest possible bidder.
“To make matters worse, LNP backroom dealer, Scott Briggs, a close friend of Scott Morrison and a former colleague of Immigration Minister David Coleman — is a major investor in one of the bids to win the contract worth more than $1 billion.
Scott Morrison and David Coleman have recused themselves from this process – but this still doesn’t pass the pub test.
“The Morrison Government must stop its plan to privatise Australia’s visa system, immediately,” Mr Giles said.