The Tasmanian Greens today urged Treasurer Michael Aird to investigate the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) proposal for the government to temporarily raise mining royalties, in order to fund a financial assistance package for 186 Mt Lyell miners who are stranded without income after the mine was closed by a weather-related mudslide.
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said the AWU’s suggestion that all Tasmanian mines assist the stranded workers through a temporary three-to-five percent increase in mining royalties is a fair and reasonable response to the unfair situation confronting the Mt Lyell workers.
“The Mt Lyell miners are stuck in a difficult position through no fault of their own, and I would urge Treasurer Michael Aird to seriously consider the AWU’s proposal for a temporary rise in mining royalties to fund a financial assistance package for these workers,” said Mr McKim.
“If nothing is done it is likely that many of the Mt Lyell miners will have to leave the West Coast for work elsewhere, causing serious delays and difficulties when the mudslide is cleaned up and the mine is re-opened.”
“This proposal will not affect the State Budget and it is more than fair for the government to urgently investigate its viability.”
Mr McKim also said that he was a bit surprised that the Mt Lyell mine owner, UK-based Vedanta Resources, did not have a contingency plan in place to retain workers in the case of a temporary mine shutdown.
“I believe the mine owner should also contribute towards any financial package designed to keep the Mt Lyell miners on the West Coast and ready to return-to-work. It would be good for the company, and for the West Coast community,” said Mr McKim.
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader
