Summary

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The majority voted against a motion introduced by WA Senator Jordon Steele-John (Greens) in respect to requiring labour market testing. Senator Steele-John explained that:

We in the Greens would never quibble or seek to oppose the ability of any person to come to Australia and to work and be protected while they work in a safe workplace. But what we see, particularly with the Indonesia agreement, is a process being opened up by which permits have been granted to that nation for work which can be utilised without undertaking the pretty basic principle of checking to make sure whether or not there is anybody currently present within the community who is able to do that job and who has the qualifications to do that job.

However, ACT Senator Katy Gallagher (Labor) explained that:

I think it's important to add here that there is no change to labour market testing and the conditions that have applied since 1995. These agreements that we are dealing with are not changing the arrangements that have been in place. With respect, I think Senator Steele-John might be incorrect about some of the concerns that he is raising, and Labor will not be supporting the amendment.

Motion text

(2) Clause 2, pages 2 and 3, table items 2 to 4, omit the table items, substitute:

2. Schedule 1

If the Peru‑Australia Free Trade Agreement, done at Canberra on 12 February 2018, enters into force for Australia—the first day that bilateral side letters exchanged between Australia and each other party to the Agreement agreeing that labour market testing must occur in relation to contractual service suppliers, working holiday visa holders and training visa holders entering, or proposing to enter, Australia from the other Party are in force for Australia.

However, the provisions do not commence at all unless all of the events mentioned in this item occur.

3. Schedule 2

If the Indonesia‑Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, done at Jakarta on 4 March 2019, enters into force for Australia—the first day that bilateral side letters exchanged between Australia and each other party to the Agreement agreeing that labour market testing must occur in relation to contractual service suppliers, working holiday visa holders and training visa holders entering, or proposing to enter, Australia from the other Party are in force for Australia.

However, the provisions do not commence at all unless all of the events mentioned in this item occur.

4. Schedule 3

If the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and Hong Kong, China, done at Sydney on 26 March 2019, enters into force for Australia—the first day that bilateral side letters exchanged between Australia and each other party to the Agreement agreeing that labour market testing must occur in relation to contractual service suppliers, working holiday visa holders and training visa holders entering, or proposing to enter, Australia from the other Party are in force for Australia.

However, the provisions do not commence at all unless all of the events mentioned in this item occur.

Votes Not passed by a modest majority

Nobody rebelled against their party.

Party Votes
Cory Bernardi SA Australian Conservatives No
Australian Greens (100% turnout) 9 Yes 0 No
Richard Di Natale Victoria Yes
Mehreen Faruqi NSW Yes
Sarah Hanson-Young SA Yes
Nick McKim Tasmania Yes
Janet Rice Victoria Yes
Rachel Siewert WA Yes
Jordon Steele-John WA Yes
Larissa Waters Queensland Yes
Peter Whish-Wilson Tasmania Yes
Australian Labor Party (36% turnout) 0 Yes 9 No
Raff Ciccone Victoria No
Alex Gallacher SA No
Katy Gallagher ACT No
Nita Green Queensland No
Jenny McAllister NSW No
Louise Pratt WA No
Tony Sheldon NSW No
Marielle Smith SA No
Jess Walsh Victoria No
Tim Ayres NSW Absent
Catryna Bilyk Tasmania Absent
Carol Brown Tasmania Absent
Kim Carr Victoria Absent
Anthony Chisholm Queensland Absent
Patrick Dodson WA Absent
Don Farrell SA Absent
Kristina Keneally NSW Absent
Kimberley Kitching Victoria Absent
Malarndirri McCarthy NT Absent
Deborah O'Neill NSW Absent
Helen Polley Tasmania Absent
Glenn Sterle WA Absent
Anne Urquhart Tasmania Absent
Murray Watt Queensland Absent
Penny Wong SA Absent
Centre Alliance (100% turnout) 2 Yes 0 No
Stirling Griff SA Yes
Rex Patrick SA Yes
Sam McMahon NT Country Liberal Party No
Sue Lines WA Deputy President Absent
Jacqui Lambie Tasmania Jacqui Lambie Network Yes
Liberal National Party (0% turnout) Absent
Matthew Canavan Queensland Absent
James McGrath Queensland Absent
Liberal Party (82% turnout) 0 Yes 23 No
Eric Abetz Tasmania No
Alex Antic SA No
Wendy Askew Tasmania No
Simon Birmingham SA No
Andrew Bragg NSW No
Slade Brockman WA No
Claire Chandler Tasmania No
Mathias Cormann WA No
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania No
David Fawcett SA No
Concetta Fierravanti-Wells NSW No
Sarah Henderson Victoria No
Hollie Hughes NSW No
Jane Hume Victoria No
Jim Molan NSW No
Matt O'Sullivan WA No
James Paterson Victoria No
Gerard Rennick Queensland No
Linda Reynolds WA No
Paul Scarr Queensland No
Dean Smith WA No
Amanda Stoker Queensland No
David Van Victoria No
Michaelia Cash WA Absent
Richard Colbeck Tasmania Absent
Marise Payne NSW Absent
Anne Ruston SA Absent
Zed Seselja ACT Absent
National Party (100% turnout) 0 Yes 3 No
Perin Davey NSW No
Susan McDonald Queensland No
Bridget McKenzie Victoria No
Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party (50% turnout) 1 Yes 0 No
Malcolm Roberts Queensland Yes
Pauline Hanson Queensland Absent
Scott Ryan Victoria President Absent
Totals (66% turnout) 13 Yes – 37 No