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WA Premier Mark McGowan cool on Kalgoorlie’s FIFO ban pitch

Tom ZaunmayrKalgoorlie Miner
Premier Mark McGowan in Coolgardie yesterday, where an entourage of vintage cars was waiting.
Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan in Coolgardie yesterday, where an entourage of vintage cars was waiting. Credit: Kalgoorlie Miner, Tori O’Connor

Premier Mark McGowan has backed his Government’s efforts to prioritise residential resources workforces as pressure mounts to take a hardline approach against fly-in, fly-out practices.

Regional shires and politicians have expressed support for the implementation of a Queensland-style policy banning large resource projects employing a 100 per cent FIFO workforce within 125km of regional towns.

Speaking in Coolgardie yesterday, Mr McGowan said the State Government would look at the policy, but stopped short of voicing his support for it.

“We want to make sure local communities are strong and vibrant, and that where possible people live locally and work locally,” he said.

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We will have a look at the Queensland model, but I don’t want to send any signals to investors that somehow WA is not open for business

Mark McGowan

It’s a big State and there is not an easy solution to the issue and clearly around WA different models work in different places.”

Mr McGowan said the State Government worked with mining companies to encourage residential workforces.

Shire of Coolgardie chief executive James Trail said the Shire had already successfully implemented elements of the policy.

“Part of the initiative and discussion from that is talking about working collaboratively with the mining industry about forming memorandum of understandings,” he said.

“We believe the Shire of Coolgardie has already done that...with eight or nine mining companies.

“We need to work with the mining industry because they are part of our fabric and what makes our economy tick.”

Labor State Member for Mining and Pastoral Kyle McGinn said the Government’s understanding of local jobs was “far better” than the previous administration.

“Whilst (the Queensland policy) all sounds good and people over here would be saying ‘that’s a great thing’… it is how it actually gets into operation,” he said.

“Firstly we need to consider other options around trying to get people out from the cities to the regions.”

Mr McGinn said he would support the wishes of local governments in his electorate.

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