An estimated 5,000 workers marched on parliament today demanding local industry receive a larger share of work from the state's resource projects.
An estimated 5,000 workers marched on parliament today demanding local industry receive a larger share of work from the state's resource projects.
Badged as 'WA Jobs from WA resources,' the alliance of industry groups and unions demanded new legislation to ensure jobs for local workers on major projects such as the Gorgon natural gas development.
Unions have accused oil and gas giant Chevron of sending three quarters of the $10 billion worth of work it said would be completed locally overseas.
Speaking amid jeers and boos today, Premier Colin Barnett told the occasionally hostile crowd that although Chevron had contracted Australian companies for some manufacturing and fabrication work, the company later discovered part of those contracts being sent offshore.
"When they had awarded contracts to Australian firms, the understanding of the companies was that that work was being done in Australia," he said.
"What they found out, to their surprise, was that some of the lead contractors who were getting the work under the local content clause were then sending the work offshore."
"The companies are now doing an audit of their contracts to make sure that when they give a contract for Western Australian work it is done in Western Australia."
Opposition leader Eric Ripper said the benefits of the mining boom were not being seen in Western Australia, and announced in front of the rally new legislation to be introduced to parliament next week ensuring more work for local businesses.
"We're going to introduce legislation next week into parliament and that legislation is going to require a skilled work agreement for every project over $200 million," he said.
Australian Steel Institute State Manager James England said he was looking forward to seeing the detail of Labor's proposed laws.
"We have been campaigning for new laws to boost the amount of skilled engineering and fabrication work performed in WA from our major resources projects, and it is good to see that some of our politicians have been listening," he said.
"Canada has highly successful legislation that ensures a big share of skilled engineering and fabrication work from their major resources projects is performed in Canada and we think we can achieve the same in Western Australia."
A joint statement issued today by the CCI, CME, and APPEA, which together represent many of the state's local suppliers and major project developers, said business and government needed to work together to help local businesses win more work.
"Some local manufacturers, especially in steel fabrication, aren't winning as much work as they had expected on some of the major construction and resource projects in WA," it said.
"A new, long-term strategy is needed to help local suppliers compete for work."
"This can be done by helping local firms become more internationally competitive, encouraging businesses to adapt to changing international markets, and for our politicians to work with business to develop a long-term industry strategy for the State."
