OK, That was all the nice fuzzy warm armchair expert stuff...now a dose of reality from someone that DOES FIFO.

There are significant barriers to live out near where some of these mines are. The most significant is to actually look further into the future and ask yourself, "What else is there in the area AFTER mining ceases?" If there is little else that could be done in the area above broadacre farming, cattle stations, and the like, there is little point in building permanent structures and infrastructure to support many thousands of mining workers and families.

There are also environmental the impacts of such development, including the relocation of entire families and the requirement for more substantial and permanent infrastructure that brings (diesel generators, desalination plants, bores etc), versus the per person requirements of one mine worker.

As it is (and despite the distinctly anti-FIFO sentiment) there is probably long term environmental benefits to the FIFO "donga brigade" as the impacts are temporary and almost all structures can be moved once mining is completed. All that would be required is to break up the concrete, remove plastic pipework (standard procedure anyway) and 5 years later Mother Nature will have retunrd the area to near normal.

There is a choice to be made: a collection of ghost towns which stretch and impose into arrable land, or more compact ex campsites that Mother Nature is in the process of returning to normal.

We do not need more migrant families, who then demand additional housing, education and medical care infrastructure/services.
And indeed, we need to be far more frugal with permanent residency and or family reunion outcomes for entirely unwelcome or uninvited guests.
It cannot be an automatic right for decidedly dubious people, who arrive without verifiable identifying documentation?
[Like say, those people smugglers, now on the run and fleeing our authorities?]
What happens to their families, who were allowed in as part of family reunion outcomes?
Deportation perhaps, given their claims were entirely based on clearly false or deliberately misleading information?
For which there simply has to be zero tolerance!
Moreover, some of the more recent arrivals, who have been granted permanent residency/citizenship, ought to have their claims reinvestigated, utilising the very latest in space age lie detection technology?
Guest workers ought to have a large part of their wages withheld and only returned as a large lump sum untaxed gratuity, once they have returned to their homeland? To discourage them from overstaying their welcome?
While they're here, there ought to be serious employer tax rebates for training places, which also take advantage of the fully imported expertise.
We do need more training places and apprenticeships for those already on waiting or unemployment lists.
Particularly for those willing to tough it out in less hospitable places!
I agree with other posts/comments which ask, what do we do once the mining boom has ended, and what are the probable adverse environmental impacts of creating brand new towns, that then become virtual ghost towns, once the mineral wealth has been completely removed?
Rhrosty.

Perhaps the author needs to talk to the wives of FIFO workers. They
have no intention of going to live amongst the dust, heat and flies
of the outback, whilst they can live in cushy cities with all
facilities.

The workers have to decide this one, not politicians or dreamers.

I generally agree with the thrust of the previous three comments.

I would also like to take the author to task for his completely unjustified swipe at the federal government. There is nothing between the policies of the government nor the opposition except for a bit of mud-slinging.

Both would, in one form or another, choose 457 visa labour over attempting to build townships in the desert for families.

So, Professor Des, what's the justification for opening sentence, especially the phrase "...represents yet another major mistake by a seriously incompetent federal government." It's pretty clear to most sentient beings in Australia that Gina is no Labor supporter. The request for 457 visas came from one of the Conservative side of politics' greatest champions. As for so-called incompetence: compare and contrast the economic performance of the current government with that of any of the preceding governments in Australia and you will find that they have been very competent indeed. The runs are on the board in so many ways - low interest rates, strong growth in GDP, excellent comparative outcomes w.r.t. other developed nations, great employment outcomes (which is what this article is really about) and more.

You have chosen to start off by offering offense offense and then, from your Professor's lofty perch, to chuck in a personal opinion which is totally out of step with the local desert reality. Perhaps it's time that you considered taking your next sabbatical leave holiday in the north west of WA instead of jaunting overseas. Have a look around. You might just learn something.

I have read all of the posts and they all have their merits apart for racists ones :(.
Just thinking what is bad in trying to populate that part of Australia not only by migrants and their families but with Australians that are unemployed and want to work. Are there any? Did anyone researched their wishes. I do not think that all Australians chase city life, there must be others. As a normal citizen, and social worker, and migrant I believe that everyone should be given opportunity to go and live there.
Also this is a national forum and personal attacks look so ugly to read :)