A win on end to 100% FIFO

DECEMBER 5, 2018: MY push for an inquiry into mining industry support for regional businesses and local jobs has resulted in another win today with BHP announcing that they are seeking fulltime local workers at two mines which previously had 100% Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) workforces.BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) announced today that they are about to start recruiting for local workers for about 350 permanent jobs at their Caval Ridge and Daunia coal mines.It’s great to see industry heeding the concerns of local workers and local communities.I’ve been lobbying for permanent jobs in our mining industry for some time and the push for an inquiry into mining industry support for both businesses and workers in the regions was a component of that push.The report, Keep it in the Regions: Mining and Resource Industry Support for Businesses in Regional Economies, was tabled in the Parliament this week.This morning I had a phone call from BHP to advise me of this good news – that they are rolling out 350 full time local jobs at former 100% FIFO sites; Daunia and Caval Ridge.The coal mining industry is very good to our region; it’s a vital linchpin for our local economy.The delivery of hundreds of secure, full time jobs makes it even better.This is the second positive result from the mining sector enquiry in as many weeks.We’ve also had three of the major mining players come out and announce a switch to 30-day payment terms for local businesses.There’s been a concerted effort to ensure the regions which support the mining companies are supported in turn.We would not be seeing these results without the pressure which has been brought to bear as a result of this inquiry.