Parkes MP Mark Coulton has hit out at the Labor government’s decision to increase the minimum wage a temporary migrant worker must be paid (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold or TSMIT), up from $53,900 to $70,000, claiming it will negatively impact regional businesses and communities.
This is the first TSMIT rise in 10 years, with the jump to $70,000 reflecting where the payment would likely have been had been rising each year during the last decade at a rate of $1600 per annum, or just over $30 a week.
“The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold was frozen for a decade by the former Liberal Government,” Andrew Giles Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs said when the TSMIT rise was announced.
Mr Coulton says the rise will have drastic impacts on workers and businesses.
“Most businesses in the Parkes electorate can’t afford to give workers a $16,100 pay rise. That means letting workers go who have put down roots in our community.
“We should be doing everything we can to support skilled workers to make their home in our towns, but Labor’s visa changes are ultimately going to do the opposite.”
These claims have been dismissed by Minister Giles who says the Albanese government has been working to clean up what they see as a dire immigration situation left by the former Coalition government.
“The Albanese Labor government is committed to delivering better wages and conditions for all workers in Australia,” said Minister Giles.
“Raising the TSMIT is an important step in delivering better pay for people working in our regions.
“We’re rebuilding a visa system that works for businesses, workers, and consumers,” Minister Giles told the Truth.
