Protests against ‘fly-in fly-out’ workers intensified in north Queensland with the Moranbah Action Group involving nearly 400 people in a weekend rally south west of Mackay. The protesters included miners, families and business owners living in the Bowen Basin region. The march on Saturday started at the Moranbah Community Workers Club and ended in the Town Square.
According to Kelly Vea Vea the chairwoman of the action group the protestors were lobbying for affordable family housing as well as the proposed 100% fly-in fly-out workforce that BMA wants for its Caval Ridge mine near Moranbah.
She said that it was a problem for the entire Bowen Basin area and the fact was represented by participants in the protest coming from Collinsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Moura and Dysart. In a speech to the collected protestors she said that they were marching proudly to protect the way of life in mining communities.
John King the owner of the news agency in Moranbah said that it would be the death for them. He added that when people reside there they add to the community but if the 100% workers are outsources there will be no more people coming to town and the company will be taking all our resources.
The mining booms which make outback towns prosperous are today struggling to make ends meet with more companies opting for fly-in fly-out workers. Concerns for the ‘fly-in fly-out’ workforce have been evident for a while now. Local MP Ted Malone said that as the mining industry is a profitable one they should also make a commitment to the towns nearby.