Rann labour imports betray local youth

Media release

Australian Protectionist Party National Chairman and South Australian spokesman Mr. Andrew Phillips today called upon the Rann government to reassure South Australians that plans to import 50,000 Filipino workers into the state will be reconsidered.

“At a time when housing affordability is reaching a crisis level, water availability is now considered an emergency issue and the government is plunging our state into massive debt to fund infrastructure – the plan to pour another 50,000 people, and one would assume their extended families, into the driest state on the driest continent – borders on lunacy” Mr. Phillips said.

“In a blatant display of their arrogance towards their own constituents, Messrs Foley and Rann have also declared their concern at the possibility of Filipino qualifications not being recognized here in Australia” Mr. Phillips continued “To alleviate their concerns, they have declared that a taxpayer funded Training Institution will need to be operated in the Philippines in order to train the imported workers”.

The Australian Protectionist Party recognizes the need for the Australian workforce to be at the forefront of skills and innovative concepts in order for our nation to maintain it’s standard of living and competitive edge. However, for this to be achieved the government should be investing in education, research and development and have a greater emphasis on encouraging local firms to train our youth.

“The plan by the Rann government to import workers from the Philippines and India is little more than intellectual laziness and pandering to influential multinational companies” Mr. Phillips continued “By choosing to import foreigners rather than training our youth, Messrs Foley and Rann are throwing the next generation onto the economic scrapheap and overlooking our nation’s greatest resource – our people” Mr. Phillips concluded.

Statement issued by Mr. Andrew Phillips
National Chairman and S.A. spokesman, Australian Protectionist Party

22nd July 2008