This is an incredibly sad day for the entire Mount Isa community.
AWU members at Mount Isa Mines have been delivering for the Queensland economy for almost a century. They have generated billions of dollars in revenue for the Queensland Government and resources companies like Glencore.
Now is the time for the Government and Glencore to provide our members the support that they have always provided them.
I have been in contact with Treasurer Dick and I have made it clear that our members expect the Government to leave no stone unturned when it comes to providing direct support to the Mount Isa community and affected workers. Now is the time for the Government to cut through the green tape and fast track approvals for new mines in the region to provide a suitable transition for affected workers.We are also calling on Glencore to provide redeployment opportunities to local workers who will be affected by these closures. Glencore have been using foreign labour and FIFO labour hire on their other operations in the region. It is our expectation that local workers who are affected by these closures are given priority access to these roles.
This is a fight for Mount Isa, the capital of the Northwest Minerals Province and the epicentre of the next mining boom.
We will do everything in our power to hold the Government and Glencore to account in delivering the support and dignity that the Mount Isa community deserves.
