Qld FIFO laws rejected by mining giant

Mining companies say new laws that will force them to consider local workers over fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) staff will jeopardise productivity and diversity.

The Palaszczuk government on Thursday tabled a response to a committee report that called for proponents to focus on local workforces first.

Mines Minister Anthony Lynham pledged to release a comprehensive policy package to address the issue.

"Our new policy framework will ensure no 100 per cent FIFO operations in new mines where nearby regional towns have a capable workforce," he said.

"Existing operations will need to consider locals for employment."

BHP Billiton said it looked forward to working with the government but warned it had reservations about the policy.

"We have achieved very substantial productivity, culture and diversity outcomes as a result of the arrangements in place at our FIFO mines in the Bowen Basin, which include 25 per cent female and 5 per cent indigenous participation," a spokesman said.

"As well as putting these achievements at risk, retrospective intervention on statutory approvals for political purposes is a serious threat to investor confidence in Queensland."

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) said investor confidence could also be put at risk in the state.

"Many of the proposed changes flagged today would not help existing and future resource operations to compete or thrive in what is an increasingly competitive global market," chief executive Michael Roche said in a statement.