Today I tabled the interim report for the Inquiry into Australia’s skilled migration program.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on Australia’s workforce. While 94% of Australians who lost their jobs or were stood down to zero hours are now back in work, there are still significant skills shortages in the economy.

Businesses and industry have repeatedly told the Committee that there are critical skills shortages in Australia, they can’t find the skills they need to grow their business and to create more jobs for Australians. Skilled migration creates Australian jobs.

Labour figures released today showed that unemployment is falling again. Now is the time to streamline the skilled migration program so it can help continue Australia’s economic recovery from the pandemic. The best way to drive the unemployment figure even lower is by bringing skilled migrants to Australia who create jobs for Australians.

To read the interim report, click here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Migration/SkilledMigrationProgram/Report

To watch my speech, click here: https://fb.watch/clUQXcL7YM/