Senate votes down visa changes for foreign offshore rig workers

On Wednesday night Labor, the Greens and the Palmer United Party teamed up to stop foreign workers being employed on maritime crew visas.

Paddy Crumlin from the Maritime Union of Australia said the new visa was a loophole being used to exploit workers.

"It was there to bring in Philippino, Indonesian seafarers not on Australian wages and conditions," he said.

Greens senator Penny Wright said the changes meant foreign workers could be employed in Australian waters and be paid as little as $1,000 a month.

"This regulation would allow overseas workers to work for up to three years straight in the oil and gas zone without a visa that has Australian labour law as the legal basis underpinning their wages and conditions," she said.