The Nationals WA understand how important our resources sector is to the economy of Western Australia and our nation. We are home to one of the richest resources hubs in the world, with more than 1000 active sites producing more than 50 mineral and petroleum commodities. Together this is worth almost $150 billion annually and employs about 125,000 people.
FIFO
We recognise FIFO work practices are necessary in some remote and isolated areas, but The Nationals WA have a long-standing policy against FIFO camps being built in close proximity to existing regional towns and centres.
Instead, The Nationals WA stand alongside regional communities in their preference for the expansion of residentially-based workforces. In regional communities where that is not possible, our preference is for FIFO or DIDO from other regional towns or cities. It is well known that regional development is undermined when workers are housed in camps on the edge of towns separated from the community.
We also believe that greater support for residential-based workforces ensures employees and their families remain together and connected to the local fabric, which supports positive mental health outcomes.
The Nationals WA believe there is an evident need for both Federal and State policy drivers to encourage employers to support local workforce development over FIFO workforce practices, as well as ensure incentives exist for employees to move to remote/regional WA to live and work.
