We need to level the playing field so that the manufacturing industry can be given a chance to survive the harsh economic conditions it is currently facing. Unless this happens, when the mining boom ends, we will be left with nothing to show for the boom except empty mines and closed factories.

Gone are the days when mining companies invested in social infrastructure such as housing, schools and hospitals to make mining towns liveable and create robust regional hubs. These days more than 100,000 workers spend up to 5 weeks at a time away from their families.