The construction of large scale resources projects in Western Australia over the last eight years presented local engineering, fabrication, mining services and other businesses with an incredible opportunity to grow and develop new capabilities for the future.

Unfortunately, much of the work that should have gone to local businesses went offshore. For example, of the more than 500,000 tonnes of fabricated steel required for Chevron’s Gorgon and Wheatstone projects, only 30,000 tonnes of it was sourced in Western Australia. This, despite Colin Barnett promising local fabrication businesses in 2009 that, “their workshops would be full because of Gorgon.”

The State Government needs to negotiate harder with major resources projects in the future, to ensure that projects deliver a greater share of work locally. What can be made here, should be made here.

A plan for WA jobs will require a skilled work agreement be negotiated by the State Government for all major resources projects, including those facilitated by state agreement acts. The Skilled Work Agreement will outline the specific work that will be performed locally for each project and be tabled in State Parliament for assessment by the community.

Sign our petition for a plan for WA jobs here.