February 24, 2020
The LNP has suggested mine approvals should be “reviewed” if companies replaced local jobs with remote-controlled operations in capital cities.
Remote-operated mines are already operating in Western Australia with employees controlling driverless trucks in the Pilbara from an operations centre in Perth, 1200km away.
Hitachi has also successfully trialled autonomous haul trucks at the Meandu Mine at Tarong.
Opposition Leader and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said if the LNP wins the next State Election, she would not accept mining companies stripping jobs from regional communities and replacing them with remote-controlled operation centres in a capital city, interstate or overseas.
“Every industry has to innovate and make use of technology but the obligation to support local jobs is non-negotiable,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“The LNP backs the resources industry and mining workers – and we always will.
“Whole communities in regional Queensland depend on mining and the LNP will never turn our backs on those towns.
“The LNP will make sure that mining jobs stay in mining communities.
“Mines in Queensland are approved on the basis of the jobs they will create, so if mines no longer offer those same jobs, their approvals should be reviewed.
“Resource companies must stand by the communities that have supported them for generations.”
Mrs Frecklington pledged that a future LNP Government would:
- Maintain the LNP’s long-standing opposition to 100% FIFO resource projects near regional communities
- Immediately review the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017, a review which Labor promised two years ago but has yet to begin
- Require the Coordinator-General to call-in approvals if a resource company proposes to cut jobs through automation at an existing mine site
- Require automation assessments for new resource projects, stipulating that:
- Jobs should not be relocated from resource communities to a city capital, interstate or overseas;
- If control centres are established to support automation, they must be located in nearby communities;
- Resource companies must provide education and training pathways in nearby communities to support technological transition
The LNP’s policy follows BMA Australia’s decision to introduce 86 driverless trucks at its Goonyella Riverside mine, near Moranbah.
“Labor introduced 100 per cent FIFO mines in Queensland and stayed quiet about job losses in Moranbah,” Shadow Mines Minister Dale Last said.
“Labor’s Jackie Trad told regional communities and miners to ‘re-skill’ and look for new jobs.
“The LNP will not stab miners in the back like Labor has. The LNP will always stand up for jobs in regional Queensland.
