Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Hansard source

I think the member for Kennedy is really referring to the responsibility of mining companies to clean up after themselves, and we are absolutely on a unity ticket on that. We absolutely agree that a company like this that's been in operation for 60 years, if they've made commitments about how they're going to clean up after themselves, should do it. And of course he's right in saying that there are jobs in post-mining rehabilitation work, and we want to see that work carried out appropriately.

On this specific example that he's using, it is largely a matter for the Queensland government. Responsibility for ensuring that the mining company complies with its rehabilitation obligations rests primarily with the Queensland government. This is done in a variety of different ways—with money set aside, bank assurances and so on.

But I would say to the member for Kennedy that we agree with him that, if mines close, they need to be cleaned up, and we are absolutely committed to seeing a future for Mount Isa—for the people who have made a living and made their home in a place that relies on mining. We are going to work to ensure that. The Palaszczuk government has already announced a support package of up to $50 million for mine workers and for the Mount Isa community, and that includes $30 million to accelerate development of resource projects in the North West Minerals Province for the next five years and another $20 million to be matched dollar for dollar by Glencore in a structural adjustment package for Mount Isa and for Queensland.

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