Although you make a fair point, the good news is we have an overseas pool of eager engineers and miners willing to move here to fill the gaps, with attractive conditions and pay on offer. We are unlikely to experience a debilitating workers shortage that would render our mining and export of coal as a historic trade. Just think of China and India. Both of which likely have more people in the coal industry than we have people living in our country. Then there is USA, South America and Africa and Indonesia, all full of coal mines.
Which field of work have Australian graduates ever been able to fill entirely? Australia has always been dependent on overseas labour to top up the majority of its professional roles, except for politics, which I do not consider a profession worthy of admiration.
The coal mining sector is absolutely essential to Australians, their economy and way of life. Politicians know this, despite all the ear soothing talk towards both sides. They won't let the sector be crippled by labour shortages; they would simply add a 'free visa' to those who have the necessary skills to meet the job title. It has been done before; especially after COVID.
We just need to look at the skilled occupation list to see all the job demand that our local graduates are not fulfilling. WHC could simply advertise its jobs internationally to fill the demand that locals cannot. This is not Tasmania, we can look for those that are not our own to satisfy the economic need. It is in the country's best economic interest to do so. If locals don't want to study coal engineering or work in our #2 export sector, give it to those who do!
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