Guest worker scheme being snuck through

August 8, 2008

THE Federal Opposition has accused the Federal Government of trying to "sneak through" its Pacific Guest Worker scheme without consulting the public...

"There's been absolutely zero detail (on the scheme)," shadow minister for foreign affairs Andrew Robb told ABC radio yesterday. "Does Australia want unskilled labour coming in from a number of Pacific Islands given there are half-a-million unemployed people in our country already?" ...

The National Farmers Federation strongly supports the scheme, which would fill critical labour shortages in agriculture and horticulture. But unions such as the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union believe it will lead to the exploitation of foreign workers or "Mexicanisation" of Australia's job market and lower wages and conditions for all workers.MPs such as the Nationals' Kay Hull in the Riverina support the scheme, while others such as former immigration minister Kevin Andrews have doubts.