FOREIGNERS CASH IN
FEDERAL and state government politicians and officials have been accused of turning a blind eye to the hundreds of foreign workers employed in construction jobs on North Queensland solar farms.
Critics say promises that the renewable energy sector encompassing wind and solar developments represented thousands of job opportunities for Australians have not materialised. Instead jobs are being taken by workers from countries like Spain, France, Bulgaria and Chile.
Yesterday the LNP Member for Burdekin Dale Last labelled the situation which was seeing Aussie workers denied jobs “a disgrace”.
He said it made a mockery of the boast that there were “massive increases” for locals in jobs in the renewable energy sector. He said North Queenslanders and Australians were missing out on jobs and that the federal and state governments should be held accountable.
Mr Last said he was advised that contractors were receiving $ 47 an hour for each worker and that the foreign workers were only being paid $ 10 an hour. He said the lack of transparency was a concern.
“We need to know what is going on. It’s disgraceful, the fact that North Queenslanders are missing out on jobs,” he said.
Mr Last could only conclude there might be “thousands” of foreign workers employed on solar farms in Queensland and in other parts of Australia.
“You have to question the government’s agenda. It is hanging its hat on jobs in renewables and here, not far from Bowen, we have around 400 foreigners on the job.”
Federal Minister for Jobs and Innovation Michaelia Cash said that under Australian workplace and equal opportunity laws all job vacancies must be available for Australians to fill.
Ms Cash said that in case of worker shortages, temporary visa holders could be employed to help local businesses and the employment of backpackers by farmers during peak harvest times was one example of how the system worked.
Member for Mundingburra and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said last year the state Labor government had “kickstarted the renewable energy boom”.
Ms O’Rourke said there were 17 projects financially committed in Queensland providing 2200 construction jobs with the promise of more on the way.
Ms O’Rourke said she could not have foreseen what lay ahead when it came to those 2200 jobs. Asked yesterday about jobs on solar farms going to overseas workers, she said the Palaszczuk government would “always urge employers” to give local workers the first opportunity to fill local jobs.
The Member for Dawson, George Christensen, has sheeted the problem home to Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alan Tudge. Mr Christensen said Austra- lian Border Force officers were looking at the allegations and had visited solar job sites. He and Ms O’Rourke both said it was not illegal for companies to employ foreign workers who were in Australia legally and who had appropriate visas.
In March this year, Australian Border Force officers inspected several North Queensland solar farms in response to allegations foreign workers were illegally being employed ahead of locals.
The Townsville Bulletin understood at the time ABF officers visited the Hayman and Daydream solar farms managed by engineering firm RCR Tomlinson.
An ABF spokeswoman confirmed “employer awareness visits” had taken place.
RCR Tomlinson was invited to respond to this story at the time, but declined.
This week when contacted for comment on these latest concerns about foreign employment, a spokesman for RCR Tomlinson said he had been advised by company staff onsite one month ago they were “packing up” and work was finished.
This contradicted follow- up advice to the Bulletin from Whitsunday Regional Council sources this week. They said RCR Tomlinson still had an office in Collinsville’s main street. Further, they said the company had only recently put on an extra 100 staff in order to try and have the project finished by October.
RCR Tomlinson did not return a call to discuss the matter further.
Ms O’Rourke said the issue of foreign workers employed on solar sites was a “federal government matter”.
Whitsunday Regional Council representative Mike Brunker said Queenslanders were available to do the solar farm construction work. He said it was “ridiculous” to suggest the jobs could not be filled from the local and national workforce. He said flying in foreign workers and employing holidaying backpackers instead of locals was “not on”.
Cr Peter Ramage represents the greater Collinsville district on the council. He said the influx of foreign workers into the area was “extremely disappointing”.
“All of the money is going out of the local economy,” he said.
Mr Last said there should be someone in government with oversight employed on large projects.
“If there is they should be ensuring locals are getting jobs,” he said.
Ms Cash said foreign workers with correct accreditation were covered by Australian workplace law regarding salary and employment conditions. She said foreign workers who met visa and certification requirements received the same protection as Australian workers.
“All foreign workers are covered by Australian workplace law regarding salary and employment conditions, and receive the same protection as Australians,” she said.
Anyone with evidence of illegal recruitment practices should contact the Fair Work Ombudsman or in the case of suspected visa violations, the Department of Home Affairs.