Tech Industry speaks out on 457 visa reforms (Source: www.afr.com)

Australia’s peak technology industry lobby group has called on the newly appointed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to support 457 visas and stop picking on the IT sector.

The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) issued its comments on Mr Rudd’s first day as PM. The lobby group represents major multinational technology companies including Google, Microsoft and IBM.

In a statement AIIA chief executive Suzanne Campbell said the technology industry in Australia was singled out with a “combination of excessive and at times heavy handed regulation” on issues like 457 visas, taxation and local pricing.

“457 visas solve the immediate skills shortage issue local organisations are facing,” she said. “The longer term solution to this issue is systemic changes [but] this will take time and the industry must not be stalled in the meantime.”

But the AIIA’s last-minute push to prevent tougher 457 visa regulations may have come too late. The controversial changes, which are backed by Union groups, were pushed through the lower house with the support of key independent MPs.

To read the original article on The Australian Financial Review’s website click here.