Media | Local News

Labor fails to support crucial mine safety inquiry

22nd August 2019

An open and independent Parliamentary Inquiry into mine safety in Queensland has been quashed by the Palaszczuk Labor Government with support from Katter’s Australian Party.

LNP Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last called for the bipartisan inquiry following six deaths in Queensland mines and quarries in the last 12 months.

“Lives are on the line and Annastacia Palaszczuk’s refusal to support a full Parliamentary Inquiry into safety can’t be justified,” Mr Last said.

“Labor has failed to do the right thing by the hard-working men and women in the resources industry.

“Labor’s two reviews into mine safety simply don’t match the power of a Parliamentary Inquiry, which could have provided the answers and path forward the industry needs.

“Unfortunately, Labor doesn’t want an inquiry because they are afraid of what it might uncover about their handling of the mine safety regime.

“It’s already been revealed the Palaszczuk Labor Government has slashed the number of mine inspections in Queensland by more than 500 a year.

“Labor’s mining safety and health advisory committee has also failed to meet because its membership did not meet Labor’s gender-balance requirements.

“We have only scratched the surface of the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s neglect of mine safety.”

Mr Last said 55,000 people worked in mining and 262,000 jobs depended on the resources sector.

“The Parliamentary Inquiry would have listened to the men and women employed in the coal mining industry to understand their views about health and safety,” he said.

“If Labor were serious about mine safety, they would have supported a bipartisan inquiry.

“Nothing is more important than ensuring every miner who goes to work comes home safely.

“The LNP will continue to stand up for the men and women who work in our mines and quarries.”