Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me make it clear: I say no to 100 per cent FIFO. I say no to 100 per cent fly-in fly-out mining workers in my electorate of Capricornia. I want jobs for Central Queenslanders who actually live in and support our local towns.

Under 100 per cent FIFO, workers are jetted in from Cairns or the Gold Coast. One hundred per cent FIFO is hurting the survival of my local towns like Dysart and Moranbah. It is hurting small business, local schools and mums and dads who are happy to live there and support community life.

In Queensland, the Labor state member for Mackay, Tim Mulherin, must accept that his own party first initiated 100 per cent FIFO. Advice presented to me suggests that BMA was granted permission, during the previous Anna Bligh Labor state government, to initially engage a 100 per cent FIFO workforce. If that is correct, then Labor started the ball rolling. Labor opened the floodgates allowing the 100 per cent FIFO jobs to go to Cairns and the Gold Coast.

I have not been idle on this. My locals must have a chance to apply for jobs in their own backyards. I have spoken to federal colleagues, state ministers and company executives. On 17 March, I will continue to take up this issue with BMA's asset president and head of external affairs.