The Labor Party has been exposed on its failure to support much-needed regional jobs in Queensland at the Acland mine.

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt commended the strong show of support in the Senate from the Liberal National Government for the New Hope Group’s expansion of the Acland mine, in a parliamentary vote which also called on the Queensland Government to end the delays and approve the mine expansion now.

The Labor Party sided with the Greens to vote against the motion.

“The Labor Party’s failure to support this call is another betrayal of Queensland resources workers, sadly who have come to expect little else from the former party of workers,” Minister Pitt said.

“This is the ultimate test for the Labor Party.  Words don’t count for much if Labor’s not prepared to back them in with action.

“The Palaszczuk Government refuses to stand up for jobs at the Acland Mine and the Federal Labor Opposition sits meekly on the sidelines without even a murmur in support of workers.

“It’s bad enough that the Palaszczuk Government stood by while 150 workers lost their jobs at the Acland mine last September because approvals were delayed, but now its inaction will cost another 150 workers their jobs.

“The Queensland Government could act now to approve the expansion of the mine. It refuses to do so.  The Labor Party always sides with Green activists and the anti-jobs brigade.”

Senator for Queensland, Paul Scarr, who moved the motion of support in the Senate, said that New Hope’s plans have been scuttled by both the State Government’s inaction and a continued campaign of “lawfare” by green groups.

“Since 2007 – 13 long years – New Hope has sought approvals for their Stage 3 expansion of the New Acland mine on the Darling Downs, which would extend the mine’s life until 2031 and boost annual production from 5.2 million tonnes to 7.5 million tonnes,” Senator Scarr said.

“This will be a devastating blow for the Darling Downs community, especially after enduring the economic shock of COVID-19.

“If New Hope can’t expand before they run out of coal in early 2021, they’ll have no option but to shut down.”

Senator Matt Canavan said the Labor Party can’t be trusted when it comes to backing workers.

“As we’ve seen time and time again, job-creating projects have been held up by green ‘lawfare’ being waged in our courts and by a State Labor Government that can’t bear the thought of backing workers over green activists.

“Whether it’s Adani, or it’s Acland, the Palaszczuk Government can’t be trusted to support jobs.

“The Liberal National Government isn’t shy to back Queensland coal workers.

“The Queensland Government should not spend one moment longer holding up these jobs.  It must approve the expansion of the Acland mine straight away.

“The choice is simple, either you stand with the Liberal Nationals for jobs and a strong future for our regions or you give in to the demands of Green activists.”

The Labor Party sided with the Greens to vote against the motion.

“The Labor Party’s failure to support this call is another betrayal of Queensland resources workers, sadly who have come to expect little else from the former party of workers,” Minister Pitt said.

“This is the ultimate test for the Labor Party.  Words don’t count for much if Labor’s not prepared to back them in with action.

“The Palaszczuk Government refuses to stand up for jobs at the Acland Mine and the Federal Labor Opposition sits meekly on the sidelines without even a murmur in support of workers.

“It’s bad enough that the Palaszczuk Government stood by while 150 workers lost their jobs at the Acland mine last September because approvals were delayed, but now its inaction will cost another 150 workers their jobs.

“The Queensland Government could act now to approve the expansion of the mine. It refuses to do so.  The Labor Party always sides with Green activists and the anti-jobs brigade.”

Senator for Queensland, Paul Scarr, who moved the motion of support in the Senate, said that New Hope’s plans have been scuttled by both the State Government’s inaction and a continued campaign of “lawfare” by green groups.

“Since 2007 – 13 long years – New Hope has sought approvals for their Stage 3 expansion of the New Acland mine on the Darling Downs, which would extend the mine’s life until 2031 and boost annual production from 5.2 million tonnes to 7.5 million tonnes,” Senator Scarr said.

“This will be a devastating blow for the Darling Downs community, especially after enduring the economic shock of COVID-19.

“If New Hope can’t expand before they run out of coal in early 2021, they’ll have no option but to shut down.”

Senator Matt Canavan said the Labor Party can’t be trusted when it comes to backing workers.

“As we’ve seen time and time again, job-creating projects have been held up by green ‘lawfare’ being waged in our courts and by a State Labor Government that can’t bear the thought of backing workers over green activists.

“Whether it’s Adani, or it’s Acland, the Palaszczuk Government can’t be trusted to support jobs.

“The Liberal National Government isn’t shy to back Queensland coal workers.

“The Queensland Government should not spend one moment longer holding up these jobs.  It must approve the expansion of the Acland mine straight away.

“The choice is simple, either you stand with the Liberal Nationals for jobs and a strong future for our regions or you give in to the demands of Green activists.”