Queensland MPs Jim Pearce (Fitzroy) and Paul Hoolihan (Keppel) serve electorates which both have a stake in improving shiftwork practices to avoid fatigue-related accidents.

Mr Pearce's western electorate covers many mining areas while Mr Hoolihan's coastal electorate houses many families of mine workers.

The MPs have been strong supporters of their region hosting an International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time in August this year.

They have not only supported Queensland Government funding of the event but have also meet CQU organisers to get an insight into the key issues before attending in their official capacity.

Central Queensland University is hosting the International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time at Yeppoon from August 28-31.

More than 110 international experts will converge for the event (details of which are at  www.shiftwork.cqu.edu.au )  
While the symposium is for academics, 2 special workshops have also been arranged for regional managers and will be held on the August  27 .  

Symposium organiser Associate Professor Lee Di Milia said some of the visiting speakers have had extensive experience in Australian industry, including mining, aviation and health services.

"This is the first time since 1994 that this meeting has taken place in Australia," Dr Di Milia said.

Discussing the shiftwork conference are (from left) Professor Gus Guersen, Jim Pearce, Dr Lee Di Milia and Paul Hoolihan