PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) on Thursday welcomed the state government’s appointment of a panel to review key drivers of Queensland’s fly-in, fly-out (Fifo) mines.

A panel of resource community and sector leaders would look into the impact of Queensland’s existing 100% Fifo mines near regional communities, and would consider the current use of Fifo across Queensland. The panel would make recommendations to government about the best way forward to address issues with up to 100% Fifo arrangements.

In her recent election campaign, now Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk launched plans to legislate against projects only making use of a Fifo workforce, but made the comment that the ban would not be retrospective.

"I believe there should be choice. If people want to live in resource or regional communities, they should have the opportunity to apply for jobs in resource communities,” State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said.

“Whether you live in Moranbah or Mackay or Moura, or in any resource community, you should have the opportunity to work there or at least nearby.”

Consultation would be undertaken with key stakeholders, including industry, local governments and communities, across Queensland.

“We are committed to working in partnership with resource communities, local governments and industry to introduce choice for resource sector workers who want to live in the regional communities near to where they work,” Lynham said.

QRC CEO Michael Roche acknowledged that the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal National Party went into the recent state election with policy positions opposing 100% Fifo operations for resource projects where there was a nearby township.

“However, the panel review process must not be a stalking horse for reversing prior-approved workforce arrangements at Queensland mines,” Roche said.

“Retrospective changes to conditioning of resource projects represents a huge sovereign risk issue for the state.”

Roche said the terms of reference for the panel provided confidence that the government was looking for a fact-based review, and that the government had not already predetermined the outcomes of the review.

“The QRC commits to providing the panel with every support it requires by way of data and case studies to help inform its report to the Minister, and through the Minister to Cabinet,” Roche said.