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Immigration and the Labour Market

Saturday, 22 April, 2006

Opposition Leader Kim Beazley is beginning to see the potential of developing the link between immigration and industrial relations policy in to a vote winning issue. After yesterday’s shadow Cabinet meeting in Adelaide, Mr Beazley announced that a future Labor Government would abolish visas allowing foreign trade workers in to Australia under the Trade Skills Training Program. Immigration, he said, should not be at the expense of opportunities for young Australians.

Mr Beazley’s argument is that migration trends indicate the Skills Training visas will be popular in low wage, developing countries. This will mean unskilled workers will be willing to sign workplace agreements under cutting Australian conditions, using the Government’s new industrial relations laws.

My hunch is that attacking the immigration – industrial relations link will grow. You might be interested in a piece on the subject called A Meaty Subject Called the Free Market.