Morrison unveiled changes that would make it easier for employers to import labour, which is important for the resources sector.

The AMMA said the resources industry’s use of skilled migration had been declining in recent years, yet international specialists’ expertise and skills were “often critical to safety, performance and supporting a large number of aligned Australian jobs”

Speaking at the National Press Club, Morrison also voiced the government’s early support for some changes to the 457 visa program recommended by its 457 visa integrity review panel.

He said the scheme “came under direct attack” from Labor, which “attempted to suffocate the program with unnecessary regulation”

Morrison added that the review found no evidence to back Labor’s claims of widespread rorting of the scheme.

The AMMA found Morrison’s approach refreshing after what it called “unfortunate politicisation of the skilled migration debate under the previous government”

Changes such as new processes to speed up skilled migration labour agreements for Australian businesses are in line with AMMA’s recommendations to the panel.

AMMA CEO Steve Knott said major resource industry projects had waited up to four years to secure a labour agreement to cover a small number of “valuable and necessary” international workers.

“This has a very real impact on job opportunities for Australians,” Knott said.

“Skilled overseas workers have never been used to replace Australian jobs, rather they complement the skills available here with new global expertise and support projects delivering great value to Australia’s economy.

“Skilled migrants support short to medium-term skills shortages when Australians are unable to fill such roles.

“They pay tax from day one and create local jobs.”

He noted that in 2013 the Reserve Bank estimated that Australia’s industry directly and indirectly accounted for 1.1 million jobs.

“With 457 visa applications in 2013 numbering just 1340, skilled migration clearly provides a small but important contribution to our industry’s wider employment opportunities,” Knott added.

Other proposed changes include “more practical and effective” standards for English language testing to fix an array of existing problems.

The AMMA said it also supported the proposed reduction in market salary rate comparisons from $250,000 to $180,000 per annum.

“Clearly employers should not be burdened with onerous salary comparison requirements for high income earners being paid more than $180,000 per year,” Knott said.

One thing the AMMA was disappointed with was Morrison failing to support the complete removal of labour market testing measures, despite a recommendation from the review panel.

AMMA noted Western Australian Edith Cowan University research showing it could cost employers up to $70,000 to sponsor a 457 visa holder, which AMMA argued was “completely unnecessary and cumbersome”