Released on = November 3, 2006, 5:03 am

Press Release Author = Ryan Rebutica

Industry = Government

Press Release Summary = Labor and Tony Burke have again been caught out trying to
mislead Australians in relation to the effectiveness of our temporary skilled
migration (457) compliance regime, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural
Affairs Amanda Vanstone said today.

Press Release Body = Labor and Tony Burke have again been caught out trying to
mislead Australians in relation to the effectiveness of our temporary skilled
migration (457) compliance regime, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural
Affairs Amanda Vanstone said today.

"Labor\'s claims that the strike teams I announced yesterday will be able to visit
employers only on invitation are nonsense," Senator Vanstone said today.

"The fact is the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has the
capacity to conduct unannounced site visits, and does so where necessary.

"Tony Burke\'s ridiculous claim that DIMA won\'t be guaranteed inspection of company
books suggests he doesn\'t understand the penalties associated with non-compliance
with DIMA investigations.

"These include suspension of the employe\'s 457 visa sponsorship, and a bar from
future sponsorship.

"The reality is most site visits will be by appointment because most employers are
highly compliant. Even Tony Burke has today conceded that most cases are not rorts.

"Temporary skilled migrants are vital to Australia\'s ongoing prosperity, allowing
business and industry to quickly fill skill shortages when and where they need
particular skills, and so keeping jobs here in Australia.

"The overwhelming majority of employers using temporary skilled migrants do the
right thing.

"However, the actions taken against Hunan and Aprint by my department and the Office
of Workplace Services (OWS) working together demonstrate that 457 workers are
protected under Australian law."

OWS has today announced the recovery from Hunan Industrial Equipment Ltd of more
than $650,000 in wage underpayments to workers at the ABC Tissue plant in New South
Wales.

DIMA had already issued Hunan with a sanction notice, barring the company for two
years from making further applications for approval as a 457 visa sponsor, for
breaches of its sponsorship obligations.

"My department will now consider the possibility of a further sanction, in light of
the OWS findings that Hunan breached Federal workplace laws," Senator Vanstone said.

It follows yesterday\'s announcement that OWS had recovered $93,000 from Melbourne
printing firm Aprint and initiated proceedings for underpayment of wages and
unauthorised deductions.

DIMA has already issued Aprint with a notice of intention to sanction.

- Senator Amanda Vanstone, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs

Web Site = http://www.nationalvisas.com.au

Contact Details = National Visas
Web site: http://www.nationalvisas.com.au
Address: 3 - 118 Church Street
Hawthorn, Victoria
Australia 3122
Phone: +61 (0) 3 9697 4922
Fax: +61 (0) 3 9815 1544