❓ This Question on Notice from Mr. Shane Love scrutinises the Western Australian Government's proposed transition from regional Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) to a single statewide framework, seeking detailed clarification on implementation, regional impact, stakeholder involvement, and effectiveness.
⏳ Awaiting AnswerQoN 2795Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the transition from regional Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) to a single state-wide framework and I ask:
(a) Can the Minister clarify whether the State Government intends to transition fully to a single state wide (DAMA), or whether the four regional DAMAs will continue to operate alongside it in the long term;
(b) If a transition is planned, what is the timeline and decision criteria for moving away from regional DAMAs;
(c) The WA DAMA allocates 50% of places to regional WA, what definition of 'regional WA' is being applied;
(d) Given the loss, or potential loss of region-specific DAMA frameworks, how will the State Government ensure that localised labour shortages, particularly in smaller or remote communities, are accurately identified;
(e) Will there be region-specific occupation lists or concessions, or will all settings be determined at a state wide level;
(f) What formal role, if any, will regional Chambers of Commerce, Regional Development Australia organisations, local governments, or industry bodies have in:
(i) identifying skill shortages
;
(ii) endorsing employers; and
(iii) shaping occupation lists under the WA DAMA;
(g) How will the Government ensure that local workforce needs are accurately captured particularly in remote areas;
(h) Has the Government considered a co-design or co-management model with regional stakeholders, and if not, why;
(i) How will regional stakeholders contribute to occupation lists and concessions under a centralised, state wide system;
(j) What is the process and timeframe for regular ongoing updates of occupations or concessions in response to regional needs;
(k) Will the Government publish regular, region-by-region data on:
(i) employer endorsements;
(ii) visa nominations; and
(iii) filled positions under the WA DAMA;
(l) What performance measures will be used to assess whether the WA DAMA is effectively addressing regional workforce shortages;
(m) What assessment has been undertaken of whether a centralised WA DAMA can effectively replace the local responsiveness of regional DAMAs, particularly in diverse and remote areas;
(n) Can the Minister provide evidence that a centralised model delivers equal or better outcomes for regional communities;
(o) What support will be provided to regional employers, especially small and medium enterprises, to navigate the DAMA process and attract workers;
(p) What measures are in place to ensure that visa holders recruited under the WA DAMA are successfully settled and retained in regional communities, particularly in remote areas; and
(q) How will the Government address known barriers to regional migration, including:
(i) access to housing;
(ii) availability of health and education services; and
(iii) social integration support?
Answered on
(a) Can the Minister clarify whether the State Government intends to transition fully to a single state wide (DAMA), or whether the four regional DAMAs will continue to operate alongside it in the long term;
(b) If a transition is planned, what is the timeline and decision criteria for moving away from regional DAMAs;
(c) The WA DAMA allocates 50% of places to regional WA, what definition of 'regional WA' is being applied;
(d) Given the loss, or potential loss of region-specific DAMA frameworks, how will the State Government ensure that localised labour shortages, particularly in smaller or remote communities, are accurately identified;
(e) Will there be region-specific occupation lists or concessions, or will all settings be determined at a state wide level;
(f) What formal role, if any, will regional Chambers of Commerce, Regional Development Australia organisations, local governments, or industry bodies have in:
(i) identifying skill shortages
;
(ii) endorsing employers; and
(iii) shaping occupation lists under the WA DAMA;
(g) How will the Government ensure that local workforce needs are accurately captured particularly in remote areas;
(h) Has the Government considered a co-design or co-management model with regional stakeholders, and if not, why;
(i) How will regional stakeholders contribute to occupation lists and concessions under a centralised, state wide system;
(j) What is the process and timeframe for regular ongoing updates of occupations or concessions in response to regional needs;
(k) Will the Government publish regular, region-by-region data on:
(i) employer endorsements;
(ii) visa nominations; and
(iii) filled positions under the WA DAMA;
(l) What performance measures will be used to assess whether the WA DAMA is effectively addressing regional workforce shortages;
(m) What assessment has been undertaken of whether a centralised WA DAMA can effectively replace the local responsiveness of regional DAMAs, particularly in diverse and remote areas;
(n) Can the Minister provide evidence that a centralised model delivers equal or better outcomes for regional communities;
(o) What support will be provided to regional employers, especially small and medium enterprises, to navigate the DAMA process and attract workers;
(p) What measures are in place to ensure that visa holders recruited under the WA DAMA are successfully settled and retained in regional communities, particularly in remote areas; and
(q) How will the Government address known barriers to regional migration, including:
(i) access to housing;
(ii) availability of health and education services; and
(iii) social integration support?
Answered on
AnswerView source ↗
⏳
This question is awaiting a response from the Minister.
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