Proposed subsection 140GB(2A) sets income thresholds for different streams and allows the Minister to specify thresholds for the Essential Skills stream, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to market needs.
The bill should be supported because it enhances Australia's ability to attract and retain highly skilled workers, which is crucial for addressing skills shortages and promoting economic growth. By setting clear income thresholds, the bill ensures that only those workers with valuable skills are prioritized, potentially leading to higher productivity and innovation [Judgment]. The establishment of a public register of approved sponsors increases transparency and accountability in the employment of migrant workers, fostering a fairer and more democratic process [Judgment]. Furthermore, these changes strengthen Australia's global standing as a desirable destination for skilled migrants, thereby enhancing national prestige.
The bill should be opposed because it could potentially disadvantage lower-paid workers and industries that rely on them, by setting high income thresholds that exclude many essential occupations. This could lead to inequality and limit access to the Australian labor market for workers from diverse backgrounds, who may nonetheless possess essential skills [Judgment]. Additionally, the exclusion of trades from the Specialist Skills pathway might create disparities between blue-collar and white-collar jobs, which could undermine efforts to achieve equality in the labor force.
2024-07-04
Before Senate
Unspecified
Home Affairs
Immigration, Labour, National Security