LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said Annastacia Palaszczuk is all talk when it comes to supporting resources jobs and will be to blame for 150 job losses at the New Acland Coal Mine near Toowoomba, if she fails to grant long-awaited project approvals.
“Whether it’s in North Queensland, Central Queensland or the Darling Downs, Annastacia Palaszczuk is anti-resources, anti-regions and anti-jobs,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Adani’s Carmichael coal mine project in the Galilee Basin and the New Acland Coal Mine at Oakey have been used as a political football by the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk keeps dragging the chain on vital projects for regional Queensland.
“These communities are desperate for jobs and they’re sick of being treated like second-class citizens.
“Labor is trying to destroy New Acland Stage 3 just like it tried to destroy the Carmichael mine.
“The New Acland Coal Mine at Oakey has said it will begin to lay off 150 workers as soon as Monday, because the mine’s present coal reserves are on the brink of exhaustion.
“Community leaders fear the wider economic impact of the redundancies will cause hundreds more non-mining jobs to be lost across the local economy.”
LNP Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said if Annastacia Palaszczuk was serious about jobs she’d tick off New Acland Stage 3 today.
“Regional Queenslanders are sick and tired of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s blatant disregard for the natural resources industry,” Mr Last said.
“I will continue to fight for each and every mining job that is under threat from this out-of-touch Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“Only the LNP has a job-creating blueprint that will make the Queensland economy the powerhouse it once was.
“You can’t trust Labor to create jobs.”
LNP Member for Condamine Pat Weir said the redundancies would devastate the local economy.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk cares more about getting Greens preferences than saving people’s jobs,” Mr Weir said.
“Labor must stop playing politics with people’s lives and keep this mine open.
“If Labor won’t listen to the LNP or the local community, they should at least listen to the CFMMEU.
“The union has warned that workers will leave Oakey in their droves and they’re right.
“We are on the brink of an economic disaster.”
