100% FIFO mining in Queensland to end under new government

The change of government in Queensland may signal changes to the use of fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workforces at Queensland mines.

The ALP in Queensland is against the use of a 100% FIFO workforce and plans to ban the practice. Senior spokesperson for the ALP Jackie Trad made the comments on ABC radio yesterday, but moved to assure companies the government would not review workforces currently in place.

“You can’t go in and retrospectively change a workforce - that would create a lot of chaos. It would be for new mines, and the policy is to absolutely stop the 100% fly-in fly-out because there are a lot of regional communities where locals are missing out on jobs because of that policy,” Trad said.

Trad said should the ALP form government, the policy would work to ensure mining companies hire locals as well as source people from coastal cities if needed.

The policy allowing a 100% FIFO workforce was put in place by the previous ALP state government of Anna Bligh.

Critics say the the use of wholly FIFO workforces has been locking locals out of the recruitment process. BHP Billiton caused community anger in central Queensland when it announced its newest mines, Duania and Caval Ridge, would operate with a 100% FIFO workforce. This meant that employees were sourced from Brisbane and Cairns, and locals were not able to apply for work. The mining company has previously defended its decision, claiming it needs access to a diverse workforce.