Roundup: Australian gov't flags citizenship changes after abolition of foreign worker visa

The number of skilled foreign workers being allowed into Victoria has dropped dramatically.

Figures released by the government on Wednesday revealed that the number of foreign workers employed in Victoria has fallen 20 percent in the past four years.

The drop represents 20,000 fewer visas being issued for foreign workers since Bill Shorten, leader of the opposition Labor Party, was ousted as the country's minister for employment.

The total number of work visas issued was 96,000 in 2016 compared to a high of 126,300 when the Labor Party was in government.

The publication of the data on Wednesday came in the wake of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announcing that the 457 visa program for skilled migrant workers would be abolished.

Turnbull said Shorten had "raised the bar and set the records" for visa distribution during his time as employment minister.

"Labor handed out visas to foreign workers like lollies at a children's party," Turnbull told News Limited on Wednesday.

"You can't claim to be for Australian jobs when you are bringing in so many overseas workers to flip burgers and work as laborers on building sites."

Turnbull also promised on Wednesday that he would be making changes to Australia's citizenship process.

"This is important for temporary visas, vital for permanent residency and citizenship," he told Sky News Australia.

"Citizenship must be valued and we're making changes so that the practices and principles of those obtaining citizenship are consistent with our cultural values."

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said measures would be implemented to ensure that people would abide by Australian laws before being made citizens.

He rejected the notion that the eradication of the 457 program was in response to the policies of far-right wing politician Pauline Hanson or U.S. President Donald Trump.

"We have been looking at this space for a long period of time... I have pointed out the deficiencies within Labor's management of the 457 program and we have acted," Dutton said.

Workers who are are already in Australia on 457 visas will be allowed to stay but new visas will not be issued.

Dutton said Australian companies would still be able to fill "genuine" gaps in the work force with skilled laborers from overseas.

"I don't want the default position to become bringing somebody in from overseas into an Australian job," he said.

He confirmed that in some cases businesses would be charged a higher fee to bring in foreign workers with the money used to train more local workers.

Innes Willox, chief executive of the Australian Industry Group and chair of the ministerial advisory committee on skilled migration, said he expected details on how companies would be charged to be announced soon.

"What we believe will occur is that there'll be an increased fee and a more streamlined fee for skilled migrants that will be paid for by their employers when they come into Australia," Willox told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio.

"That money needs to be used wisely to train Australians, particularly young Australians in jobs that are in need and the jobs of the future."

Turnbull said his government was considering introducing a new provisional visa for foreign workers hoping to become permanent residents.

The new visa would provide holders with limited access to social security before becoming full citizens. Endit