โIn the same month that saw the release of the worst unemployment figures in over a decade.....'
Not that the ALP's head office, the ACTU, would present a selective statement or have an axe to grind, would they?
Figures can be fun, when the Poor Me and Rudd circus commenced, the unemployment rate was 4.5%, when they were finally kicked out of the ring it was 5.8%.
"worst unemployment figures in over a decade": OK, here is an interesting graph that covers a period " in over a decade" :-

Whoops, perhaps the attempt at at nominating a carefully selected period was phrased badly (try worst unemployment figures in a decade)
As for 457 visas, It would appear that 457 visa numbers have been actively supported by both governments over time (457 Visas represent 0.9% of the work force, ABS)

If one checks (??) "it will be found that employees on 457 visas earn significantly more than non-457 workers.
Across all industries, 457 visa holders earn 34% more than local staff on average. This illustrates a huge gulf between 457 salaries and average local salaries. With an average annual base salary of $94,000, the average 457 visa holder sits comfortably above the 75th percentile of Australian full time salaries."
I have noticed that amongst those working under 457 visas that there is not a category for trade union officials or spin doctors, probably because the visas are issued to skilled workers.
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