His comments fail to address questions about ChAFTAs removal of mandatory skills assessments for temporary migrant workers in key occupations such as the electrical and plumbing trades.
Mr Robb did not explain what safeguards will be in place to ensure the safety and quality of work done by migrant trades workers and he apparently does not understand the difference between skills assessments and labour market testing.
Given the Ministers repeated failure to address these issues, the public could be forgiven for wondering whether Mr Robb even bothered to read the agreement before he signed it.
Mr Robb also claimed Labor was briefed on the text of the agreement before it was publicly released. That is simply not true.
Labor has asked simple questions about ChAFTA and its side deals.Australians deserve a considered and detailed response:
- Will the Abbott Government honour its promise to maintain labour market testing for 457 visa holders?
- What safeguards will ensure Australian workers have access to new job opportunities on Australian work sites?
- Why has the Abbott Government abolished mandatory skills assessments for Chinese workers in ten critical occupations?
- Is the abolition of mandatory skills assessments based on advice from Australian occupational and trades skills regulators?
- Were State and Territory Governments consulted on the abolition of mandatory skills assessments?
- What safeguards will ensure safety standards in Australian workplaces, given that mandatory skills assessments for immigration purposes would be removed under the agreement?
- Why did Mr Robb agree to the inclusion of Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions when the Howard Government successfully negotiated agreements without it?
- If Mr Robb is so sure ISDS provisions will not be used against the Australian Government, why did he agree to them at all?
Labor will continue examining the details of the agreement including through the Parliamentary committee processes that are now under way.
