Interview with Tom Steinfort, The Today Show, Channel Nine
TOM STEINFORT, HOST: More now on the government's plan to overhaul immigration with new targets being set heading towards 2028. For more, we are joined by Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth. Good to see you today. Look, there's been a lot of feedback to this, particularly the farming and tourism industries have spoken out in the last 24 hours, voicing their very strong displeasure. Is it possible that, by trying to solve one problem on the immigration front that you’re now creating many other problems elsewhere in Australia?
AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS: Well, I think what's really important in this is that we do have a sustainable migration system. And these measures that Minister Burke has announced are about, importantly, integrity and compliance. Of course, we understand the needs of regional communities. And, of course, there is still availability to get backpackers. But we need to make sure that that is managed in a sustainable way.
Equally, we also have the PALM scheme. PALM scheme is a really important scheme to get people from the Pacific to work in agriculture, and we'd like to see more people, or more farmers and others, use that scheme because we think that's a very valuable scheme.
TOM STEINFORT: What about the tourism industry, though? They're furious. You're saying they're misinterpreting this?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, as I said, we are having to be responsible. We have other parties running around, whether it's the Liberal Party that won't say where they're going to cut or what they’re going to do, but they’re going to cut visas. We've got One Nation putting out a policy that would destroy the economy. We're taking a responsible approach that is focused on integrity and compliance.
You know, some of the other measures around student visas and who can come with students, how we stop visa hopping, these are all important integrity measures and compliance measures in our system. And as I said, there is the availability. But we want to make sure that we get the most effective people here as part of our migration program.
TOM STEINFORT: So, is your message to these sectors that do feel impacted by this that there are going to be some ramifications here, but we're the least bad of your options when compared to a One Nation or a Liberal Party?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: What we're saying is we need to have a sustainable migration system. That's what’s really important. We’ve worked very clearly about having good compliance measures and integrity measures. And as I said, there is, for example, the PALM scheme, a really important scheme. My department administers that. Be very welcome to work with any agricultural people in the sector that are looking at how they might become part of that scheme.
TOM STEINFORT: All right. Well, moving on, your party has announced that smart glasses could soon be banned in public workplaces – public service workplaces, that is – in a bid to try and tackle those issues around AI and privacy rights. It would be a world first if this does come off. I mean, is this close to actually being a reality?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, look, Minister Gallagher has written to the Public Service Commissioner asking for advice on this. We know that trust in government is really important. We also know that the Australian Public Service deals with a huge amount of confidential and private information. If you think about whether that’s through Services Australia or individual matters, as well as classified information, it is a very unique workplace. And so Minister Gallagher is looking for advice on whether in some instances smart glasses should be prohibited. And I think there would be a lot of nervousness to think that smart glasses are routinely used. I mean, that sort of covert surveillance would be of great concern.
And so, this advice is really important, particularly in where and when smart glasses could be prohibited.
TOM STEINFORT: Yeah, I certainly think there's sentiment in the community to see something done on that front. Minister, appreciate your time this morning. Thank you.
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Thank you.