After eight and a half years of a Liberal
leadership in WA, Labor has taken the helm with a resounding show of support
for Mark McGowan.
While on the campaign trail, McGowan was
extremely vocal about providing more employment opportunities under his
proposed ‘WA Jobs First Policy’ claiming only ‘WA Labor had a plan for jobs and
only a McGowan Labor Government would keep WA jobs in WA.’
There are currently 92,500 people unemployed
in the State and he claims his focus is to ensure these people receive priority
for job opportunities. It may have a
far-reaching effect on skilled migration into WA.
Skilled migration list
McGowan wants to radically limit migrants
entering WA, either through 457 visas or on skilled migration programs. He said it was going to be one of his first
priorities when he took office.
McGowan strongly believes that with the
current high rate of unemployment in WA, the State doesn’t need to bring in trades
such as teachers and bricklayers and even nurses with specialist skills from
overseas. Currently only 59% of nurse
graduates are finding positions within WA. He’s forged strong links with the
unions who unanimously back his plans.
“We are
going to tear up the list that the WA Government sent to Canberra which
prioritises overseas workers into WA. We
should only be prioritising areas like specialist doctors such as hematologists,
cancer doctors and the like,” McGowan announced last year.
Controversial
decision
Outgoing Liberal
Premier Colin Barnett has always claimed that McGowan was ‘turning his back’ on
those skilled migrants who had contributed to the wealth of WA under the 457
programs.
He claimed
that typically there was only a 1000 people who arrived in the state annually
on these visas.
“This is
not a 457-temporary workforce, these are people who come out here under a
business employee sponsored migration scheme and bring their families and
usually take up Australian citizenship,” Barnett announced last year.
How will it
be implemented?
The Western
Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List is produced by the State
Government and provided to the Federal Government. There are presently 168
occupations on the list and McGowan intends to replace it with roles that
reflect WA’s changed economic circumstances.
Discussions with industry bodies will mean the new list will reflect the
requirements of WA today.
Perth was
added to the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme in 2011 during the peak of the
mining boom. Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are not included in the migration
program with the only capital cities represented being Perth, Adelaide, Hobart
and Darwin.
McGowan
wants to see Perth removed from this Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and he
has pledged to do this as a matter of urgency.
This
inevitably could mean it will be tougher and harder to enter WA on a migration
scheme and there will be a significant decrease in overseas workers filling
jobs in WA.
Visa Solutions
Australia can help you with all your migration requirements.
As migration
policy looks set to change under a Mark McGowan Labor Government, you’d be wise
to seek professional advice, so why not give our team a ring.
You can speak to us direct on 1800 828 008 or our local Perth number 0893282664.
