Senator MOORE (Queensland) (12:17): Mr Deputy President, I seek leave to make a short statement which will disappoint Senator O'Sullivan. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: I think leave has been denied. Senator Macdonald? Senator Ian Macdonald: The leave sought was to embarrass Senator O'Sullivan or deny his request. I object to that. If she wants to seek leave to make a statement, I am totally in favour of that. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Moore, we might just revisit your initial request. Senator MOORE: I seek leave to make a short statement. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator MOORE: I graciously accept that leave. Labor opposes this motion and will call it out for what it is: a thinly disguised stunt designed to result in a cheap line rather than address the matter of policy substance. Australia must have a skilled migration program that gets the balance right. Labor wants industry and business to have access to skilled workers when they need them through an acceptable and highly responsive program to support economic growth that benefits all Australians. However, we must also ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place so that the 457 visa program is not abused as an industrial tool. We note that the best way to improve the productivity of Australian businesses is to improve the skills of Australian workers and to employ them. I look forward to Senator O'Sullivan bringing forward a motion that condemns the fact that since the election of Prime Minister Abbott in September 2013, Australia has lost almost 100,000 apprentices and cut $1 billion from apprenticeship programs. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: The question is that general business notice of motion No. 849 be agreed to.