Photo by: Reuters
PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland resources sector has urged the state government to assist in formulating a plan that would protect the 60 000 resource sector jobs, and the several thousands from businesses supporting the industry.
Queensland Resources Council (QRC) CEO Michael Roche on Wednesday said that he had written to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk seeking an urgent meeting with the government, after more than 20 000 resources jobs were lost over the past two years as a result of the commodity downturn.
“The QRC is not looking for bailouts or subsidies but our entire sector needs certainty and support in the shape of commitments to reduce red tape and unjustified government-imposed costs. The sector is also seeking a long-term commitment to royalty stability beyond the life of this Parliament,” Roche said in a statement.
He noted that despite the difficult times, there were companies prepared to invest in new job-generating projects because of the strong growth in demand for resource commodities in India and South East Asia.
However, he added that those projects were locked-up in interminable court appeals by green activists.
“We need government action to get those projects out of the courts, instead creating thousands of construction jobs and thousands more permanent jobs.
“While the sector may be in a downturn, there will inevitably be an upturn and we must have a plan in place to be ready to take advantage of the upswing,” Roche said.
The plight of workers at Queensland Nickel gained much attention in recent weeks, as company owner Clive Palmer lambasted the state government for failing to provide support to the embattled firm.
Queensland Nickel went into administration on Monday, with 237 workers losing their jobs.
Federal Employment Minister Michaelia Cash on Wednesday announced it would provide A$500 000 for career transitioning assistance to support the Queensland Nickel employees who have lost their jobs.
“The government is very concerned about the workers who have been made redundant, their families and the broader Townsville community, which will be heavily impacted by these job losses,” Cash said.
The sacked workers would have access to the government’s jobactive employment programme and to a new government resource, the ‘What’s Next’ website, which would provide a range of information and self-help resources to help retrenched workers get on a pathway to new employment promptly.
“While the government’s immediate priority is to ensure affected employees receive appropriate support to find new employment, we remain focused on working with all stakeholders to promote key economic infrastructure in Townsville and north Queensland with a view to creating long term, sustainable jobs,” Cash said.