Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Scarr, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) coal mining at Acland has been a big employer for 92 years and helped support the town of Oakey over that time,

(ii) the Acland mine has been seeking approval to extend the mine and guarantee work for 500 coal miners for 14 years,

(iii) while the mine has received all of its federal and state government environmental approvals, these are set aside due to court processes and Queensland Government delays,

(iv) if stage 3 of the mine proceeds the mine would provide secure employment for 481 full time employees,

(v) the Queensland state government is refusing to issue a mining lease or water licence for the Acland mine extension until court cases are resolved, a test they have not applied for other coal mines in Queensland,

(vi) already more than 200 coal miners have lost their jobs thanks to Queensland Government delays, and more face the sack at the end of July as the mine is forced into care and maintenance, and

(vii) businesses in Oakey are struggling because of the reduced economic activity at the mine; and

(b) calls on the Queensland Government to issue the mining lease and water licence, consistent with precedent, to save jobs and protect the future of the town of Oakey.