Hill issues cash call to miner
LABOR will promise construction and infrastructure projects in regional cities hit by high unemployment in a bid to create blue- collar jobs.
It follows backlash in central and North Queensland after Opposition Leader Bill Shorten attacked the Adani mega- mine and indicated that the party could oppose the project.
He has backed away from this, but discussions continue in the party on whether to actively oppose the mine.
Mr Shorten will be in Gladstone today to pledge $ 100 million for the Gladstone port access road, the first in a series of regional projects centred on infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, agriculture and energy.
Townsville, Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton are also expected to make up part of the package.
“The plan will deliver long- term, secure jobs that are tied to infrastructure projects, backed by government investment,” Mr Shorten said.
The Labor leader yesterday questioned if the Adani mine would stack up and compared it to Clive Palmer’s failed Queensland Nickel refinery.
“I just don’t want those pinning their hopes on jobs here being let down. We saw that with Clive Palmer and Queensland Nickel,” he said.
Townsville was badly hit when QN fell into administration and about 800 workers lost their jobs.
Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said he backed the need for jobs.
Mundingburra MP Coralee O’Rourke said she wanted the jobs that came with Adani, but the project needed to stand up on its own.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart did not respond to requests for comment.
MATTHEW KILLORAN MAYOR Jenny Hill has called on Adani to get moving on its Carmichael coal mine and demonstrate it has secured the funds to make it happen.
The comments are a shift in rhetoric from the Labor identity who has been a strident supporter of the mine, including committing her council to provide up to $ 18.5 million as a halfshare in funding with Rockhampton council for the mine site airport in return for fly- in fly- out jobs.
Cr Hill denied she was softening her support or siding with Labor leader Bill Shorten and rejected suggestions the council was backing away from the airport funding deal.
“They have to get through our hurdles as part of the deal. They still have a few hurdles to jump through,” she said.
Cr Hill said the council backed the jobs the mine would bring but, “like everyone”, was frustrated Adani had not reached financial close and had not started construction.
“I support the mine because it will deliver up to 900 jobs for Townsville but I share the community’s frustration that the project hasn’t started yet,” Cr Hill said.
“There have been false starts and many in the community expected the project to be under way already.
“It’s up to Adani to demonstrate that it has secured finance and start the project.
“The community needs to be reassured that Adani is serious about de- veloping the Carmichael mine and delivering on its jobs promise to Townsville.
“The best way to do that is to reach financial close and start construction, ideally by the end of the financial year.”
Townsville- based LNP senator Ian Macdonald said Cr Hill seemed to be having a “bob each way”.
“The mayor has so far been courageous and forthright but I’m disappointed that she now seems to be having a bob each way,” he said.
Senator Macdonald said if Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk had not “switched camps” by announcing a veto for a federal loan during last year’s state election, finance for the Adani project would have been approved long before this.
He said the Palaszczuk Government’s veto was “outrageous” and showed they were not interested in jobs for North Queensland.
Townsville Chamber of Commerce executive officer MarieClaude Brown said Adani had to make its own business decision.
Ms Brown said politicians should “take a deep breath and let Adani do what they are doing”.
“There is nothing we can do. It’s their decision. Wait for the answer,” Ms Brown said.