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The current mining boom is provoking government action to make sure that Australians benefit from the profits made off the land.

Earlier this month (March 20), Julia Gillard announced the introduction of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax, which will see the most profitable mining companies giving back to the economy, contributing to tax cuts for all companies, infrastructure costs and increased superannuation.

But the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) is calling on the federal government to ensure that resource sector workers and tradespeople are also able to take advantage of the boom.

The group stated today (March 30) that government needed to "get tough" on employers to make sure that both migrant and Australian tradies were able to get jobs, as well as stamp out the exploitation of those holding 457 – temporary work – visas.

CFMEU national secretary construction Dave Noonan recommended that the government should encourage priority employment for Australians over 457 visa holders.

"The government must also act to provide greater protection for 457 visa holders themselves, including access to workers compensation for injured workers when they return home," he added.