The Australian Human Rights Commissioner Helen Szoke has expressed her disappointment over the tone of the debate surrounding the Federal Government’s new Enterprise Migration Agreement, which will allow Roy Hill to sponsor up to 1,715 workers for the three-year construction phase through the 457 visa program.

 

“It is important that no workers are discriminated against and this should be a baseline consideration in employing workers,” Dr Szoke said.

 

“We are a country built on the work of people from all over the world and this debate must be looked at in that context.”

 

The Commissioner’s comments follow reports today that the mining sector believes EMAs incite racist and xenophobic sentiments and could threaten ties with Asia as the Prime Minister defends her policy of putting Australian jobs first.