250612, 26 June 2012, CFMEU, employment, Gina Rinehart, Mining Boom, mining jobs, Racism, resources job board, Rita Mallia, Roy Hill mine
Rita Mallia speaks of the importance of unemployed locals getting the first pick of mining jobs as well as her union’s proud multicultural ethos.
Importing foreign workers has rocketed during the mining boom. Last year almost 90,000 workers were employed under 457 visa grants allowing them to stay and work in Australia for up to four years. The number of visas granted is up nearly 50 per cent on last year.
Since Gina RInehart received permission to bring in 1700 workers for her Roy Hill mine and the subsequent uproar, a Resources Jobs Board has been created.
The CFMEU’s Rita Mallia tells 3Q 60,000 people have already visited the website — putting paid to claims that Australians don’t want to do remote mining work.
28 May 2012, 280512, Australian economy, Australian Government, Carbon Tax, Craig Thompson, Julia Gillard, kevin rudd, Mining Boom, Peter Slipper
Q. Although Australia’s economy is doing very well, according to opinion polls the Government is very unpopular. What do you think is the main reason for this? *
|
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
| Voters don’t trust the Prime Minister |
28% |
21% |
35% |
44% |
| The carbon tax will increase the cost of living |
17% |
17% |
19% |
8% |
| The economy is doing well for other reasons, like China and the mining boom, not because of the government |
15% |
13% |
19% |
5% |
| Voters are still angry about the treatment of Kevin Rudd. |
12% |
18% |
6% |
14% |
| Voters aren’t benefiting from the strong economy. |
12% |
10% |
14% |
8% |
| The government looks sleazy because of Craig Thomson and Peter Slipper. |
4% |
5% |
3% |
8% |
| Some other reason |
8% |
12% |
3% |
11% |
| Don’t know |
3% |
5% |
1% |
3 |
* Based on those who agree the economy is good.
Respondents who thought the economy was doing well, thought the main reasons for the Government’s unpopularity were that voters don’t trust the Prime Minister (28%), that the carbon tax will increase the cost of living (17%) and that the economy is doing well for other reasons, not because of the Government (15%).
Both Liberal/National and Greens voters said trust in the Prime Minister was the key issue, while Labor voters were somewhat more likely to nominate anger over the treatment of Kevin Rudd.
21 May 12, 210512, Australian Government, class warefare, Mining Boom, opposition, tax
Q. The Federal Opposition has accused the Government of “class warfare” for criticising and increasing taxes for Australia’s richest people and companies. The Government says they are just trying to ensure that all Australians benefit from the mining boom and other wealth derived from Australia’s resources and economic development. Which position do you most agree with?
|
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
|
| The Government |
46% |
77% |
20% |
77% |
| The Opposition |
28% |
5% |
56% |
5% |
| Don’t know |
26% |
18% |
25% |
18% |
28% agree with the Federal Opposition’s claim that the Government is carrying out “class warfare” and 46% agree with the Government’s position that they are just trying to ensure that all Australians benefit from the mining boom.
Those on higher incomes were only a little more likely to agree with the Opposition. For those earning less than $600pw, 53% agree with the Government and 23% agree with the Opposition. For those on incomes over $1,600pw, 45% agree with the Government and 31% with the Opposition.
21 May 12, 210512, Australian economy, Australian industries, Australian jobs, Mining Boom
Q. Has the mining boom been good or bad for –
|
Total good |
Total bad |
Very good |
Good |
Neither good nor bad |
Bad |
Very bad |
Don’t know |
|
| The economy generally |
75% |
7% |
30% |
45% |
12% |
5% |
2% |
6% |
| Other Australian industries |
50% |
16% |
12% |
38% |
26% |
12% |
4% |
9% |
| Jobs generally |
61% |
12% |
16% |
45% |
21% |
9% |
3% |
7% |
| You personally |
21% |
10% |
6% |
15% |
60% |
7% |
3% |
9% |
A substantial majority think that the mining boom has been good for the economy generally (75%) and jobs generally (61%). 50% think that it has been good for other Australian industries.
However, most (60%) think it has been neither good nor bad for themselves personally – 21% think it has been good and 10% bad.
Those most likely to think the mining boom had been good for them personally were aged 25-34 (31%), full-time workers (26%) and those on incomes over $1,600pw (27%).
23 April 2012, 230412, mining, mining benefits, Mining Boom, Mining tax, Polling, polls
Q. How much have you personally benefited from Australia’s mining boom?
|
|
Total |
Vote Labor |
Vote Lib/Nat |
Vote Greens |
| A lot |
2% |
3% |
2% |
1% |
| Somewhat |
5% |
8% |
4% |
2% |
| A little |
12% |
14% |
12% |
11% |
| Not at all |
66% |
62% |
70% |
67% |
| Don’t know |
14% |
13% |
12% |
19 |
Only 7% think they have benefited a lot or somewhat from Australia’s mining boom. 78% believe they have benefited a little or not at all.
Those most likely to say they have not benefited at all were women (71%), aged 55+ (74%) and those on incomes under $600 pw (72%).
26 March 2012, 260312, Australian dollar, Australian economy, economy, finances, high dollar, mining, Mining Boom, Polling, polls
Q. Has the mining boom and the high dollar been good or bad for –
|
Total good |
Total bad |
Very good |
Good |
Neither good nor bad |
Bad |
Very bad |
Don’t know |
|
| The economy generally |
52% |
12% |
11% |
41% |
22% |
10% |
2% |
15% |
| Jobs generally |
42% |
18% |
8% |
34% |
26% |
15% |
3% |
14% |
| You personally |
23% |
10% |
5% |
18% |
55% |
8% |
2% |
10% |
A majority (52%) think that the mining boom and the high dollar has been good for the economy and are more likely to think it has been good for jobs (42% good/18% bad).
61% of Labor voters, 53% of Greens voters and 51% of Coalition voters think it has been good for the economy.
55% think it has been neither good nor bad for them personally. For those on incomes over $1,600pw, 32% think it has been good for them personally and 9% bad.
ER, Essential Report, mineral exports, Mineral Resource Rent Tax, mineral resources, minerals exports, Mining Boom, mining profits, poll, Polling
Q. How much do the following groups benefit from the current boom in Australia’s mineral exports?
| Benefit a lot | Some benefit | A little benefit | No benefit | Don’t know | |
| Mining company executives | 68% | 10% | 5% | 3% | 14% |
| Mining company shareholders | 48% | 28% | 7% | 3% | 14% |
| Foreign companies | 42% | 25% | 8% | 3% | 23% |
| Federal government | 37% | 35% | 10% | 2% | 15% |
| State governments | 31% | 38% | 12% | 2% | 16% |
| Regional communities | 12% | 30% | 29% | 10% | 17% |
| All Australians | 11% | 29% | 32% | 13% | 16% |
The main beneficiaries of the current boom in Australia’s mineral exports were thought to be mining company executives (68% benefit a lot), mining company shareholders (48%) and foreign companies (42%). Only 11% thought that all Australians benefit a lot and 12% thought regional communities benefit a lot.
Views were mostly similar across demographics.
Labor voters were a little more likely to think that there was a lot of benefit to all Australians (18%) and mining company shareholders (53%).
Liberal/National voters were a little more likely to think that there was a lot of benefit to State Governments (37%) and the Federal Government (46%).
ER, Essential Report, Mineral Resource Rent Tax, mineral resources, minerals exports, Mining Boom, mining profits, poll, Polling
Q. And should the following groups receive more or less benefit from the current boom in minerals exports or is the current benefit they receive about right?
| Should benefit more | Should benefit less | Current benefit about right | Don’t know | |
| All Australians | 68% | 1% | 15% | 16% |
| Regional communities | 58% | 6% | 19% | 17% |
| State governments | 30% | 17% | 32% | 20% |
| Federal government | 27% | 23% | 30% | 20% |
| Mining company shareholders | 12% | 28% | 41% | 18% |
| Foreign companies | 4% | 56% | 18% | 22% |
| Mining company executives | 4% | 57% | 21% | 18% |
A majority of respondents think there should be more benefits to all Australians (68%) and regional communities (58%). A majority also believe there should be less benefit to mining company executives (57%) and foreign companies (56%).
75% of Labor voters, 65% of Liberal/National voters and 84% of Greens voters think all Australians should benefit more.