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Strict interstate travel restrictions are being enforced
which could disrupt FIFO workforces Australia-wide

hile Australia’s frontline healthcare industry to the emerging threat of the biggest effort is. That is followed closely
Wprofessionals fight heroically to coronavirus. The pandemic is believed to by the communities we operate in. We
contain the spread of COVID-19, the na- have started in China, Australia’s largest need to ensure we have as little impact
tion’s resources sector has been thrust to commodities export market. as possible on the wider community be-
the forefront of the post-pandemic eco- “In early February, shortly after news cause if we do have an impact on those
nomic recovery effort. of the virus first broke, the West Austral- communities, we may lose the right to
“Thank God for Australian mining, its ian Premier Mark McGowan called a operate.
well-established iron ore and gold min- roundtable with industry to discuss the “Staying in production will be vital to
ers are carrying Australia on their back implications and possible economic im- the State because the gas produced in
through the economic side of this crisis,” pact for WA,” Chamber of Minerals & En- the North West Shelf produces the elec-
PCF Capital managing director Liam ergy WA (CMEWA) chief executive Paul tricity that our hospitals need and the $7
Twigger told Paydirt. Everingham told Paydirt. “Those initial billion of royalties keeps our hospitals
New Federal Resources Minister Keith discussions were about assessing the funded and open.
Pitt convened a virtual industry roundta- disruptions the spread of the virus in Chi- “The Premier and Prime Minister are
ble resources companies and key indus- na would cause to our exports. Actually, cognisant of this and we have been in
try representative groups on March 24 to this has proven not to be the case. China daily contact with them.”
prepare a unified response from the sec- has continued to buy our products; we Before a recovery can be seriously
tor to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. haven’t lost a single shipment or cargo to countenanced, Australia must overcome
The discussion covered the health and coronavirus.” the clear and present danger of the pub-
safety and ongoing employment of in- Following the spread of COVID-19 lic health threat.
dustry workers as well as how to ensure to Australia, those discussions shifted However, this means the individual
the industry was prepared for the post- to health and safety and risk mitigation companies must ensure they employ
pandemic recovery. around the mining workforce and related stringent public health policies and moni-
Pitt said the resources sector would be communities. toring protocols when on site.
vital to dragging Australia out of the post- “That has been where the focus is; our AMMA head of policy Tom Reid said
coronavirus economic slump. workforce and the communities we oper- mining companies were alert to the un-
“The health of all Australians will al- ate in,” Everingham said. folding health and social changes.
ways be the Government’s priority in The mining and oil and gas sectors “We are producing regular guidance to
dealing with the coronavirus, but we have been deemed essential industries employers which we are updating every
must also plan to ensure a continued during the countrywide lockdown, mean- week because advice from the govern-
strong future for this critically important ing operators and workers will be exempt ment is changing,” Reid told Paydirt.
industry,” Minister Pitt said. from the limits to gatherings and inter- As the industry’s leading employer
“The resources sector has already state travel restrictions. advocacy group, AMMA has been moni-
shown great resilience to be in such “We are working with resources com- toring state and federal government an-
a position of strength as we head into panies to ensure they can get workers nouncements regarding the responsibili-
this current health crisis. It will be key to in and out of regional and remote areas ties of employers and employees about
Australia’s economic recovery once the in accordance with health and safety re- paid and unpaid leave and what exemp-
global COVID-19 pandemic has passed. quirements,” Pitt said. tions the industry can expect from being
“It’s critical that resources operations Everingham said it was up to the indus- classified as “essential”.
continue and new projects commence as try to ensure it kept its end of the bargain. With international and interstate travel
planned wherever possible.” “Keeping the workforce healthy and bans, Reid said the future of mining’s
Ironically, the resources sector was safe is the No.1 issue because we can’t FIFO workforce was still in doubt.
initially thought to be the most vulnerable operate without people; that’s where the “We are working through a whole

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