Mine workers in the Townsville region have been dealt a cruel blow by the Federal Government’s decision to back a legal case which threatens to strip miners of their basic rights.

It is frankly outrageous the Morrison Government has publicly thrown its support behind the High Court Appeal that seeks to rob long-term miners of the security, protections and leave entitlements of permanent work.

This is a gross betrayal of Queensland miners, from a Government which won the election pretending to be on their side.

Big mining companies that use casual, labour hire contracts for workers who work regular, full-time hours, often for years, are taking advantage of their workers.

When a job is full-time, regular and ongoing, it is permanent and deserves the security and entitlements that come with permanent work.

Instead, too many miners in the region are treated as “permanent casuals”, with worse pay and conditions, even after casual loadings are included.

Local LNP representatives George Christensen and Phillip Thompson must convince their Government to pull out of the case, and do more to stand up for local workers.

The Morrison Government has blatantly encouraged an explosion of casualisation at mine sites across Queensland since it came to power.

Scott Morrison, George Christensen and Phil Thompson claim to support mine workers, but in reality they support the big mining companies that run the mines.

In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, workers will need more job security, not less.

The pandemic has left many Queenslanders desperate for work – and that will make them vulnerable to bad workplace deals and exploitation.

By joining this case, the Morrison Government is saying it wants more insecure work, not less.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

TALI ELEY (WATT) 0448 078 456

JACOB WILSON (GREEN) 0457 961 596