Hanson slams Govt plan to let foreign workers jump the welfare queue
MEDIA RELEASE
Senator Pauline Hanson has slammed “bizarre and outrageous” new visas that give foreign workers access to a long list of welfare funds as soon as they set foot in regional Australia.
The One Nation leader has taken her anger a step further by suggesting Aussies should instead be encouraged to move to the regions through tax incentives and good provision of government services.
“When will the government understand that its primary job is to look after Australians, not foreigners?” Senator Hanson said.
“We are tripping over ourselves to hand over wads of taxpayer money to immigrant workers, while many Australians who struggle to make ends meet would gladly jump at the same opportunities and those Aussies should be our priority.”
Under the government’s New Skilled Regional Visa plan, foreigners who move to regional Australia will have immediate access to Centrelink payments like family assistance, higher education funds, disability payments, NDIS services, and paid parental leave. If the new arrival loses his or her job, they can immediately get unemployment support paid by the Australian taxpayer.
“The government through these new visas is taking the absolute mickey out of Australian taxpayers who are themselves struggling but are again expected to foot the bill so that foreigners can come and live a wonderful life here,” Senator Hanson said.
“When it comes to jobs, welfare support, government services and tax incentives, Australians must come first!”
The new visa rules mean the Skilled Regional Visa holders will have the same access to welfare payments and government services as permanent residents.
The government argues the generous new visas will encourage new arrivals to settle in regional areas to boost regional economies. However, after just three years the migrants become eligible for a permanent visa and are free to move to the big cities.
The new visas are supported by the Liberals and Labor. The bill has passed the House of Representatives but is awaiting a vote in the Senate.
The New Skilled Regional Visas would take effect from 16 November 2019. The government argues they will have “a low financial impact”.
The Explanatory Memorandum for the bill is available here: https://t.co/dsDTWEKbMA?amp=1
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