Aussies want locals first for mining jobs A new survey has revealed most Australians want mining companies to hire locals before offering jobs to foreigners. AN overwhelming majority of Australians want mining companies to search for local workers before importing skilled foreigners, a new survey reveals. And most people support the Federal Government's crackdown on the controversial 457 visa system. PM Julia Gillard has said that the system under which foreigners are brought in on temporary visas is full of rorts and she wanted to put "Aussie jobs first." She told an ACTU conference today that thousands of computer jobs were being denied to young Australians because employers were importing foreign workers. Nearly 80 per cent of Australians agree with the Government's 457 reforms, according to a poll commissioned by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union. It found that 89 per cent of respondents agreed mining firms should test the labour market to see if there were Australians who could do jobs before foreigners were brought in on 457 visas. CFMEU national construction division secretary Dave Noonan said legislation was needed to force employers to look for skilled locals first. "If there is a genuine shortage proven, then and only then, can employers take this route," he said. The 457 visa system is not working in its current form. We need to legislate and regulate further to ensure it is working effectively. The survey of 1047 people was conducted between March 8 and 13 by I-view.