I don't think it's going to collapse, but I feel the overall impact will be negative.

If there are three waiting for every one who leaves why do all the major coal, gas, consulting and civil engineering vacancies they can't fill?

Australia is becoming a bad place to do business. The coal seam gas industry will die on it's arse within a few years with all the investment going to America, Mongolia is opening up the biggest coal mine in the world to International investment, as are most African countries.

Those of us here with no intention of making it permanent have plenty of choice elsewhere, as do our employers.

If the money ain't good, what else is there to keep us or them here?

Whether you are right or wrong this doesn't really have anything to do with LAHFA does it. Going full circle again LAHFA is there to provide a tax break those maintaining 2 properties and a food suppliment.

You seem to think it's some type of 457 incentive, which is why it's being abused and most likely removed.

These multinationals can/could tempt people using LAFHA.

Moving around the world to pay the same tax but receive less benefits is what's on offer now. For anyone who see the 457 as an option to getting PR they may suck it up, but for anyone who thinks I'll try somewhere different for a couple of years, Australia is now a bad option financially.

So they'll leave or not bother coming. As will their employers.

People aren't going to move 10,000 miles to be shafted.

And that's why what's happened to LAFHA has happened. Multinationals should be tempting people with their own money.

So multinationals should have to compensate workers for being discriminated against by Australia?

That's kind of my point and why they'll go elsewhere.

Would you live in Mongolia?

Whats wrong with Mongolia??

They don't have LAFHA!

The removal of LAFHA *ends* the massive discrimination that currently exists as citizens and PR do not get LAFHA simply for existing and irrespective of living arrangements.

In the old world the 457 holder has an advantage because either

a) compared to somebody doing the same job, they have higher take home pay through paying less tax, despite the living situation of most being entirely comparable to most PR and citizens or

b) they have same take home pay as a PR / citizen in same role, but their take home pay is being subsidised by LAFHA meaning they are substantially cheaper to employ and thus have an advantage securing work in first place.

Oh lord how we go round in circles. Not once has any of the pro LAFHA people on here yet explained why they think that tax payers should top up their salaries and their employers should not have to.

Do you always answer a question with a question?

Yes they did BS ..... they said that people will go to Mongolia to work so you and I should pay to keep them here.

Blimey so they did. I must pay attention.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the discrimination is now towards those on 457 visas.

1. They struggle to get a mortgage and if they find one can only own a house in Oz until they leave the country.

2. A 457 visa holder has a harder time changing jobs due to the visa regs and therefore can become persona non gratis after 28 days.

Is that fair?

Of course that is!

It's a condition of the visa! You are granted permission to work temporarily in Australia for a specific employer who has made the case for that employment. On that basis your application can be processed many times faster than someone who is actually (officially) coming to live in Australia permanently.