The forthcoming introduction of the Worker Protection Act will effect a number of legislative changes for employers including:

- More specifically define the sponsorship obligations of Australian employers

- Permit information sharing between government agencies, such as the ability of the Commissioner of Taxation to disclose information to a taxation officer

- Expand the powers of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to monitor and investigate the possible non-compliance of Australian employers

- Introduce civil penalties for Australian employers found in breach of the sponsorship obligations.

In the Federal Governments 2009/10 Budget of 12 May 2009, the Government announced that the current income tax exemption for foreign employment income earned by an employee working overseas for a continuous period of 91 days or more, would no longer be available to the vast majority of employees from 1 July 2009.

With significant changes to temporary 457 visas and more on the way, Motor asked InterStaff International to explain the changes and what impact they will have on MTA members, particulary in an economic downturn.......