Labor M-P Julie Owens says skilled new Australian workers are missing out on jobs to foreign workers from their homeland, who have no better skills than their own.
The Opposition is pushing for stricter labour market testing laws, while backing increased levies on employers who turn to foreign workers over Australians.
The government wants to charge employers up to $1800 per year for each temporary foreign worker they hire and $5000 for each permanent worker.
Levies would be paid into the Skilling Australians Fund to pay for trade training and apprenticeships.
