Australian Immigration Minister criticises Training Minister

As reported by The West, Chris Bowen, Australian Immigration Minister, has criticised Training Minister Peter Collier for "making undeliverable promises” while attempting to entice 150,000 skilled workers from Ireland to WA.

Mr Bowen's reproach came after Ireland’s Government called Australia's visa requirements a "major obstacle" preventing skilled workers from securing temporary employment in WA.
Last July in Ireland, Mr Collier and Ciaran Cannon (Irish Training and Skills Minister) discussed the possibility of using uncapped firm-sponsored 457 visas to get around the Commonwealth's visa processing programme.

However, Mr Cannon ruled out in February a memo of understanding between the Western Australian and Irish Governments to this effect since Western Australia was not subject to international rules. This has prompted Mr Bowen to claim that Mr Collier was unqualified to negotiate at this level, calling him “unable to grasp” fundamental principles of skilled migration.

Mr Bowen said Western Australia was already a large beneficiary of the unlimited 457 visa programme, accounting for 34% growth in approvals. Under the State Migration Plan, Western Australia holds over 25% of all places in the scheme and, with Victoria, offers the highest number of allocated places, said Mr Bowen.

Mr Collier responded by saying he was within his rights to discuss with other countries about skilled workers. He also added that improvements Mr Bowen claims to have made for skilled migration were simply "tinkering around the edges".