As far as I'm aware, it's being phased out in favour of two replacement visa classes, I don't know what this software company is complaining about. The 457 had

As far as I'm aware, it's being phased out in favour of two replacement visa classes, I don't know what this software company is complaining about. The 457 had a fairly weak market assessment component unlike, for example, the (successful, but stringent) Canadian temporary work visas; so they're replacing the 457 programme with two separate programmes which include market assessments. I think the replacements also don't contribute to an application for permanent residence, so you would need to qualify for an unsponsored work visa to become a permanent resident. The article seems to frame the policy as anti-immigrant, though that is pretty thin. If you qualify to immigrate under the new visa programmes, then you are no less a legitimate immigrant.