What we're talking about

Mal Kent on Can Millsy sing? You judge Go Millsy..on ya for giving it a go. I loved it. Nice to hear some happiness on the airwaves. more
Stacey on Can Millsy sing? You judge Yeah! Rock n Roll! Crank it up to 10 Millsy! What a fabulous, raw...very raw, talent you are. Reminds me of a young Billy ... more
Debra on Can Millsy sing? You judge I've always said that it doesn't matter if you can't carry a note in a bucket as long as you sing from the heart you will be ... more
Justin on Soldier murdered in London I nearly choked on what I was eating yesterday when I heard Jane's comments yesterday saying that the killing had nothing to ... more
Darryl on Can Millsy sing? You judge No. No he can't! more
bert on Can Millsy sing? You judge I understand that the Geneva convention bans water-boarding and Millsy's singing from being used as a means to extract ... more
Kojonup people on Farmers to fight wind farm Stop this wind farm. No body wants it. It's just a swindle more
Dean on Farmers to fight wind farm All wind farms corporate or community are on in it for the money. more
Phil on Soldier murdered in London I find it offensive that 6PR chose to play the recording of the terrorist during the news on the radio! You have ... more
troy on Graham Mabury's top award Grahem congratulations on your award my good man you deserve it.regards Troy more
Dellas on Being sad is OK You really know what?I am sick to death of Lifeline, Beyond Blue, Headspace and all those helplines which are funded only to ... more
bazza on Hey Prime Minister, take a stand! Fitssimons is full of crap. 98% are for getting rid of it where is that poll? most likley in his head.he needs to loosen ... more
Clare on Farmers to fight wind farm Wonder where was the report from the "other side"? more
Lynne Foreman on We'll sign NDIS on our terms I am a disabled adult I am so excited that DisabilityCare Australia (NDIS) is on its way it means I now can choice to move ... more
Matt on Would you vote for this guy? Clive will have my backing, he is a breath of fresh air, not beholden to financial powers that milk the public every which ... more
Dhanveer Gill on Steve Mills turns taxi driver I was reading comments here by other people. Most of them are owner drivers or winners of govt plates. In reality, the big ... more
Alec Strachan on Graham Mabury's top award A worthy recipient indeed.. Well done Graham, your blood is worth bottling.. Al more
Mick on Your suburb, your voice Colin Barnett, cut every thing to the bone for the average and needy. But large increases for your cronies and the wealthy. ... more
Dellas on Government staff pay rises Never thought Dixie Marshall would/could be bought to become nothing more than a cash cow.I thought a lot of her as a woman ... more
wayne bishop on Butt out yeah right increase the prices more to pay the govt. debt so the govt. can waste and blow away more money and the govt. ... more

Migration lift sparks debate

Posted by: Paul Entwistle | 26 April, 2012 - 10:30 AM

Would a lift in skilled migrant numbers solve problems in WA or create more?

A federal plan to increase the number of skilled migrants to come to Australia has brought criticism from both the opposition and the Union movement. Paul Murray spoke to Opposition Immigration spokesperson, Scott Morrison and Gary Wood from the CFMEU.

CFMEU Mining Division, WA District Secretary, Gary Wood.

Opposition Spokesperson for Immigration, Scott Morrison.

Blog comments

I "got" with the program in 1987 and skill shortages were predicted by 1996.
What does it take for people to believe that training on the job means everything?
And that does not mean chopping and changing employers for tax purposes.
I'm really disgusted with this.
Skills shortage...give me breath.
"They" didn't know what they were doing then. And they still don't.

Dellas Saturday 28 April, 2012 - 8:00 PM
Don't forget a large number of these people leave again after a few years. Two friends of mine (7yrs in Aus) just left for Qatar, sick of taxes and more and more restrictions of a nanny state.
Soo many Australians are leaving here too to work abroad because taxation is rampant and cities crowded.

Ian Thursday 26 April, 2012 - 6:49 PM
Hahah 457 has become a joke. People are wising up to it. I only came on the understanding my employer would support me to become PR.
I am here on 457. Being here for the short term only it is almost impossible to make any money in 4 yrs here.
With huge housing costs, huge taxation, less and less ways for a 457 to get tax back, punitive interest for 457 (my car loan is 13%), having to pay for private overseas health insurance (twice the cost of Aussie health insurance but if i'm going back cannot lose my overseas on), having to pay 100% fees for daycare for kids, rubbish vacation compared to some countries, LAFHA being taken away.
If I don't get PR I will leave straight away to somewhere like Dubai where taxes are low and although I'm temporary I won't be seen as a cash cow and screwed over.
Australia is only worth coming to on 457 if its for a short time (live in an apartment away from home for a while) or if you are going to stay permanently and have a long time here once you have gotten over the initial losses (-ve NPV) of moving, buying cars etc.
It will take me about 3 years I think before I break even.
Great place to live, but as a PR not as a 457.
Only other alternative is 457 and live in Malaysia and commute her FIFO.

Ian Thursday 26 April, 2012 - 6:44 PM