Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities

Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities

Foreword Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Since the 2012 election, the modern Labor Party has committed itself to reconnecting with Queenslanders. We want to see vibrant, thriving communities right across our state, whether you live in regional Queensland or our metropolitan centres. Our resource sector is a vital part of our state s economy. The local communities that support that sector take great pride in contributing to the growth of the industry and we want to see that continue. From talking to families in mining towns across Queensland, we know how crucial it is for those Queenslanders to have access to secure, long-term jobs close to where they live. Similarly, over several generations, mining companies have played their part in making our communities what they are. We all need to work together to keep our communities thriving. It was Campbell Newman who promised regional Queenslanders he would not support 100 per cent Fly-in-Fly-Out (FIFO) proposals prior to the last election, before going back on his promise as soon as he was elected. The answer does not lie in one group winning out over the other. This policy will strike the right balance between safeguarding our way of life and strengthening this industry. Fundamentally, the modern Labor Party stands for safe, secure jobs for every Queenslander, regardless of where you live or what you do. Annastacia Palaszczuk Leader of the Opposition Shadow Minister for Employment, and Industrial Relations Jo-Ann Miller MP Shadow Minister for Health, Natural Resources and Mines 2

Queensland Labor believes that workers should have the fundamental right to choose to either live locally or to commute to work at mine sites. Workers should not be forced into FIFO arrangements if they want to live in a particular region or an established mining community. Under a Labor Government, the current practice of excluding potential workers from applying for jobs and training because of their residential postcode will not be allowed to continue. A Labor Government will not permit the use of 100% FIFO workforces for the operation of mines located near a regional centre or existing mining community. All existing 100% FIFO arrangements will be reviewed within the first 100 days of a Labor Government. Where a mining operation is located near a regional community 100% FIFO will not be permitted. The challenge The Liberal National Party went to the last election promising to oppose any 100% FIFO mining operations and committed to removing existing approvals for 100% FIFO. Since the election, the LNP Government has walked away from this promise, with the Coordinator-General under Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney approving more FIFO accommodation and further watering down requirements for resource workers to reside in the Bowen Basin. Workers are no longer being offered a choice to live in regional resource communities. This has resulted in postcode apartheid where, as part of their condition of employment, workers are being told by mining companies that they have to move from regional mining communities to major centres such as Cairns or Brisbane to be considered for work, in some instances just a few kilometres down the road. The Labor Opposition visited the regional communities of Moura, Dysart, Middlemount, Blackwater and Moranbah to develop this policy in consultation with the people who are directly impacted by the lack of opportunity to live where they work. During these visits, Labor heard first-hand of the impacts on regional towns and businesses where more local workers have been forced into commuting arrangements for example FIFO, Drive-in-Drive-Out (DIDO) or Bus-in-Bus-Out (BIBO).

Many studies have highlighted the health impacts of commuting arrangements such as fatigue and the strain long-distance commuting can place on young families. A recent research report found that 59% of FIFO workers said that their work arrangements interfered with their home and family life (University of Queensland, Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining & Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre 201, page 22). Labor understands the strain that long-distance commuting can place on families and that choice should be available for what is best for their circumstances and family. "Whether you choose to live FIFO, DIDO or in a mining community they are all huge decisions to make. Over the last nine years my husband has worked in the mining industry our family has done them all. It's extremely important to maintain flexibility in workforce arrangements so that people can make their own living decisions as families grow and needs change.". Wife of FIFO worker Our solution Queensland Labor will introduce choice for resource sector workers who want to live in the regional communities near to where they work. All existing 100% FIFO arrangements will be reviewed within the first 100 days of a Labor Government and where a mining operation is located near a regional community, 100% FIFO will not be permitted. As part of this assessment, the Coordinator-General will be required to consider, monitor and report on whether choice is being given to workers to live with their families in regional communities. Labor will amend the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 to require the Coordinator-General to consider, monitor and report on whether workers are being provided with the choice to live in regional communities when making an approval decision on an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This requirement will apply to mines located near established regional communities. 4

These legislative amendments will form part of a whole-of-government policy framework for regional resource communities in consultation with regional communities, unions, resource companies and local government representatives. This framework will: End 100% FIFO operations near regional communities and introduce choice for workers to live in the resource communities near to where they work. Facilitate job opportunities for everyone locals, DIDO and FIFO. Amend legislation, in consultation with regional communities and local government, to require the Coordinator-General to monitor and report on accommodation conditions and whether workers are being provided with the choice to live in established resource towns or regional communities such as Rockhampton or Mackay when making an approval decision on an Environmental Impact Statement. This requirement will apply to mines located near resource towns or regional communities. Review, within the first 100 days of office, all existing 100% FIFO approvals. Where a mining operation is located near a resource town or regional community, 100% FIFO will not be permitted. Ensure that resource developments are appropriately conditioned so that choice is available for workers, including consideration of the need for the proponent to provide housing. Mining companies will be required to invest in permanent housing options in regional communities to appropriate levels to ensure the ongoing liveability and sustainability of these communities. Our commitent A future Labor Government will end 100% FIFO operations near regional communities and introduce choice for workers to live in the resource communities near to where they work. 5

Require mining proponents to utilise existing housing when applying for an EIS. Introduce significant financial and other penalties to ensure compliance with the Coordinator-General s decisions. Provide adequate access to 24-hour mental health and support services for resident/non-resident workers. Commit to a parliamentary inquiry into FIFO workers and mental health impacts. Work on conditions to facilitate family-friendly rosters and fair compensation for commuting travel time. Ensure that there are proper minimum standards for accommodation villages that are also enforced. Require the Coordinator-General to report annually to the Parliament, with support from the Queensland Government s Statistician s Office and input from local governments, on the number of non-resident workers (including contractors) in the Bowen Basin and Surat Basin, including an assessment of flow-on social, community, and economic impacts on regional communities. As part of this assessment, the Coordinator-General will be required to consider the ongoing appropriateness of existing workforce arrangements and monitor population balance with the aim to achieve sustainable resident to non-resident ratios. Ensure that research on social and economic impacts of developments on regional resource communities is considered prior to the declaration of a Priority Development Area, including prior engagement, endorsement and consultation with local government. Reintroduce Social Impact Assessments into the EIS approval process, including impacts on local sporting clubs and small businesses. Make representations to the Commonwealth to implement the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Regional Australia s report entitled Cancer of the bush or salvation for our cities?: Fly-in, fly-out and drive-in, drive-out workforce practices in Regional Australia. These include proper data collection on the non-resident workforce so that funding models for front-line services can be aligned with demand and to address perverse financial incentives in the tax system for long-distance commuting. 6

Review and amend necessary legislation and regulations associated with the approval, monitoring and maintenance of mining leases to facilitate this framework. Worker choice is said to be supported within the resources industry, including by the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy which recommend that mining professionals be: able to choose where they live and the type of workplace arrangement that is best for them and their individual circumstances (AusIMM. Submission to the House Standing Committee on Regional Australia Inquiry into the use of FIFO Workforce Practices in Regional Australia, page ) Similarly, the Queensland Resources Council has said that: There is an overwhelming need to optimise the opportunities and choices for both residential and non-residential work forces. Both options must be available and supported in order to realise the full potential of projected resource sector growth. (Queensland Resources Council. Inquiry into Fly-in, Fly-out and Drive-in, Drive-out Workforces, page 12) The Queensland President of the Construction, Forestry, Mining, Energy Union (CFMEU) also supports choice for workers recently saying that: Mineworkers deserve genuine freedom of choice about their living arrangements (CFMEU Media statement 2 September 2014) This policy and legislative framework will be complemented by further policies ahead of the next State election to deliver strong regional communities and economies across Queensland. Only a Labor Government will ensure that a strong and fair framework is in place to provide resource sector workers with the choice to live in the communities near to their place of work. 7

References Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities 1. University of Queensland, Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining & Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre. 201. Factors linked to the well-being of Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO) workers. 2. Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy AusIMM. 2011. Submission to the House Standing Committee on Regional Australia Inquiry into the Use of Fly-in, Fly-Out (FIFO) Workforce Practice in Regional Australia.. Queensland Resources Council. 2011. Inquiry into Fly-in, Fly-out and Drive-in, Drive-out Workforces. 4. House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia. 201. Cancer of the bush or salvation for our cities?: Fly-in, fly-out and drive-in, drive-out workforce practices in Regional Australia. 5. Queensland Government Statistician s Office. 2012. Bowen Basin Population Report, 2012. 6. Queensland Government Statistician s Office. 2014. Bowen Basin Population Report, 201. 7. Queensland Government Statistician s Office. 2014. Bowen and Galilee Basins on-resident Population Projections, 2014 to 2020. 8. CFMEU Media Statement. 2 September 2014. Queensland Labor was founded under the shade of the Tree of Knowledge in Barcaldine in 1891. Since then, we have remained the party of equality, opportunity, fairness and reform. We will listen to the community to build a better Queensland. 8 October 2014 Authorised A Chisholm 16 Peel St South Brisbane