Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Bill 2025; Second Reading

Georganas supported the bill, emphasising that protecting migrant workers is a fundamental human right and prevents a race to the bottom in wages. Georganas noted that the previous government failed to act on the 2019 Migrant Workers' Taskforce report, leaving the current government to address systemic exploitation. Georganas highlighted the economic value of migrants, citing an example of a skilled stonemason from Albania who established a successful business in South Australia. Georganas also mentioned the Joint Standing Committee on Migration's ongoing inquiry into skilled migration to further refine the system.

Stanley argued that the bill enhances protections through a public register of approved sponsors, allowing workers to verify employer legitimacy. Stanley stated that the legislation addresses recommendations from the Migrant Workers' Taskforce and raises the top civil fines to $99,000 for people and $495,000 for companies. Stanley noted that the Australian Border Force would receive $50 million over four years to improve compliance and that the register includes data such as ABNs and postcodes to aid worker mobility. Stanley emphasised that the bill maintains the integrity of the skilled migration program and protects Australia's international reputation.

Zappia supported the bill, stating it provides transparency and accountability for temporary skilled migrants. Zappia criticised the previous coalition government for commissioning the Migrant Workers' Taskforce in 2016 but failing to implement its 22 recommendations. Zappia argued that skilled migration is essential to fill workforce shortages in sectors such as healthcare, aged care, and construction, which cannot be immediately met by domestic training. Zappia asserted that the legislation targets unscrupulous employers while ensuring that legitimate businesses face no undue burden, thereby protecting vulnerable workers from exploitation.

Neumann supported the bill, describing it as a fix for the previous government's neglect of migrant worker exploitation. Neumann cited reports indicating that new arrivals had double the risk of wage theft and were 40 per cent more likely to face exploitation than Australian workers. Neumann argued that the previous government deliberately kept the income threshold low to suppress wages, whereas the current government raised it to $76,500. Neumann stated that the public register empowers workers to make informed choices and holds bad employers accountable, aligning with principles of free enterprise and individual autonomy.

Roberts supported the bill, highlighting its role in strengthening the temporary skilled work visa program through transparency. Roberts explained that the register allows workers to verify sponsor legitimacy, including details such as business postcodes and the number of sponsored workers. Roberts noted the importance of skilled migrants in regional areas like Wanneroo, which contributes significantly to Western Australia's agricultural production. Roberts argued that the legislation balances transparency with privacy and sends a strong message that exploitation will not be tolerated, thereby fostering workforce stability.