Adani’s vow on jobs to remain

ADANI has doubled down on its commitment to prioritise regional Queenslanders for jobs on its long- awaited Carmichael mine after a request by the State Opposition for clarification.

Adani Australia Mining chief executive Lucas Dow, in a letter sent to the Bulletin, reiterated the company’s commitment to providing “real jobs, for real people”.

“Those real people will be Townsville people and I want to personally thank all of you for sticking with us,” he said.

Mr Dow’s comments come after a letter sent to him by State Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington, who asked Adani to renew its commitment that Queenslanders will be the primary beneficiaries of any direct employment and contract opportunities on the project.

Mrs Frecklington said she appreciated Adani had made a number of announcements about local employment and local content but wanted clarity on how the changes to the first stage of the proposed mine would impact these commitments.

“Given the change in scope of the project and the passage of time since some of these commitments were made, I request that a briefing be provided to Dale Last MP, my shadow minister for natural resources and mines and shadow minister for northern Queensland,” she said.

An official for Adani Australia confirmed the company had been in contact with Mrs Frecklington’s office, and a briefing with Mr Last had been scheduled for this afternoon.

The mine, which will be 100 per cent financed by Adani Australia’s parent company Adani Group, is expected to produce between 10 and 15 million tonnes of coal a year.

Production will then ramp up to 27.5 million at its peak.

Adani has said the project would create about 1500 direct jobs and 8250 indirect jobs.

“We’ve said it for years and I’m very pleased to be able to reiterate our commitment once again: Townsville and Rockhampton will be the primary source locations for our workforce on the Carmichael Project,” Mr Dow said.

“We’ve spent eight years working through strict and rigorous planning and approvals processes, while also successfully overcoming nine legal challenges sent our way by anti- mining activists.”

• Those wanting to register interest to work on the Carmichael project should head to Adani’s employment and supplier portals at adaniaustralia. co