LABOR candidate for Mount Isa Simon Tayler says his party’s policy to put a stop to unnecessary fly-in, fly-out operations will open up training and employment opportunities for North West school-leavers and the unemployed.
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The policy to halt mining projects where 100 per cent of the workforce was FIFO came under fire from some sectors of the resources industry after it was announced by opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk this week.
However, Mr Tayler has backed his party’s Strong and Sustainable Resource Community policy that focuses on clamping down on 100 per cent FIFO operations established close to existing regional communities.
‘‘I fully support a policy that focuses on the survivability of our regional resource communities and more importantly the mental health of workers in this situation,’’ he said.
‘‘It is important that this policy is read in its entirety as Labor is not saying that there can never be 100 per cent FIFO or DIDO mines in Queensland.
“Where there’s no other option but to fly in staff, and it’s economically responsible to do so, then that’s what they have to do.
‘‘What the policy clearly states is that the current practice of excluding potential workers from applying for jobs and training because of their residential postcode will not be allowed to continue.
‘‘This policy will only have positive effects on the communities of the North West with the focus on employing local people and growing our communities.’’
Mr Tayler said Labor believes the strengthening of local communities will only assist with attracting more new mines to the region.
He said it was a sensible policy which would help curb the region’s rising youth unemployment rate by opening up jobs and training opportunities.
Key points from Labor’s Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities policy include:
■End 100 per cent FIFO operations near regional communities by introducing choice for workers to live in the resource communities near to where they work.
■Amend legislation in consultation with regional communities and local government to require the Co-ordinator-General to monitor and report on local conditions and workers’ choice opportunities.
■Review within the first 100 days of office all existing 100 per cent FIFO approvals and where a mining operation is located near a resource town or regional community require workers to be given a choice of where they live.
■Adequate access to 24-hour mental health and support services for resident-non-resident workers.
