Related: Time to look locally for workers: Chesters

DON KR Castlemaine has put its support behind a Senate Inquiry to investigate temporary work visas.

The Senate passed a motion on Tuesday put forward by Labor and the Greens to hold the inquiry, which will investigate all visa schemes and listen to feedback from workers, as well as local workers.

Don KR Castlemaine managing director Stuart Grainger said the company "fully supporters" the inquiry.

"An inquiry is a positive step towards ensuring companies, including the many in the food and manufacturing industries, are compliant and adhering to the necessary standards," he said.

Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters also welcomed the Senate Inquiry.

She said a previous review into the 457 visa program - commissioned by a minister in the Abbott Government - had not given a comprehensive picture of the situation facing local and foreign workers.

"Issues such as those facing workers in Castlemaine were not discussed in that review," she said.

"The second problem was that it didn't focus on worker exploitation, foreign workers were not given the opportunity to engage with the government inquiry.

"They spoke to stakeholders - businesses mainly - and came up with recommendations such as greater flexibility.

"I think that is the completely wrong direction to be heading. It raised an alarm with me."

The previous inquiry also recommended budget savings for compliance in the visa schemes, yet to be announced by the Abbott Government, along with a better system to target employers who abuse the system.

Don KR Castlemaine had encountered criticism from Ms Chesters after it chose to hire up to 100 Taiwanese workers on the 417 working holiday visa, known as the backpacker visa.

The company had previously hired 30 workers on the visa scheme, from a labour hire company, in the lead-up to Christmas.

Despite positive meetings with the company, Ms Chesters said she was still receiving regular contact from workers at the company, as well as workers meat companies in Bendigo and Kyneton.

"There are still locals contacting me saying they are losing more and more shifts to foreign workers," she said.

Ms Chesters said the inquiry would allow anybody to make a submission.

The Senate Inquiry will investigate the extent and mistreatment of people on temporary work visas and the impact on local job opportunities.