Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter was booted from Question Time today after a fiery attack in a question to the Minister for Workplace relations about the Australia Post employing unskilled 457 visa holders instead of locals.

Mr Katter had been drawing the Minister’s attention to today’s media reports about Australia Post subcontractors employing unskilled foreign workers to sort mail and deliver parcels, thereby exploiting the hard-fought award-wage and working conditions of Australians.

After running out of the time to finish his question, Mr Katter launched a series vocal assaults on the Minister in a bid to clarify his position that the ALP had approved 300% more 457s than the LNP.

A full transcript of Mr Katter’s question is outlined below:

“Is the Minister aware that the greatest jobs growth in Australian history was in WA and Qld in the Bjelke Petersen-Charles Court years? In both states all fly-ins – even intrastate – were banned.

“Does this not make an absolute lie of the Liberals’ claim that 457 visas are necessary?

“In light of the government body Australia Post employing hundreds of 457s for postal delivery, could he assure the House that these 457s will be terminated and Australians employed?

“In light of nearly 300,000 people registered for full time employment in WA and Qld, would he not condemn the Liberals for bringing in, each year, 38,000 of these 457s?

“Finally, how Minister would you describe your Labor Government’s decision to bring in 300 per cent more – 125,000 last year alone? Could I suggest the word ‘obscene’ would be most suitable?”

Mr Katter said it was disgraceful that local workers were missing out as a result of Australia Post’s cost-cutting measures.

He said the organisation needed to accept responsibility over the employment of 457s at a rate reportedly 16 per cent less than Australia’s base award rates.

“Australia Post needs to be held accountable for employing cheap labour which is both unregulated and uncompliant, exploiting locals,” said Mr Katter.

“These 457 visa holders are delivering Australia Post product under the Australia Post brand. And they want to turn a blind eye? You’ve got to be joking.”

Mr Katter said this year’s Federal Budget paid lip service to the issue of foreign fly-in workers by providing for a doubling in 457 visa application costs as well as a paltry $3.5m extra for the Fair Work Ombudsman to investigate the foreign fly-in worker breaches.

“This government has got it so wrong,” said Mr Katter. “We don’t want 457 exploitation investigated, we want it stopped immediately.”