The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) has threatened to close down the Queensland coal industry by a work ban on mines if the State Government adopts a proposal by the Queensland Resources Council to remove from union safety inspectors the right to close mines on safety grounds.

 

The Resources Council has proposed in a submission to the government that CFMEU safety inspectors should apply to the Department’s mine inspector, who would then be responsible for any decision to close a mine.

 

In a statement, the Queensland Resources Council said “a fair outcome would be for anyone with a concern about safety at a mine site to immediately contact the independent Mines Inspectorate, which could then make an objective determination”.

 

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche claimed that the three CFMEU-appointed industry, safety and health representatives had abused their power and closed mines unnecessarily.

 

Speaking on the ABC, CFMEU spokesman, Stephen Smyth, refuted Mr Roche’s claims.

 

“I'd like the companies and the Government to demonstrate when these unions have done that, because not once has that occurred,” Mr Smyth said.

 

“When you have safety in the hands of yourself and others who currently carry out the roles, and you're responsible for ensuring that people go to work and come home the same day, then that is the utmost responsibility, and people who carry out these roles don't do it on the whim, they do it in a professional manner, and they'll continue to do it that way, and make no bones about it.

“The union won't stand aside and let coal companies and the Government take safety and completely and utterly reduce the regulations we have now and put workers at risk.”

 

Mr Smyth said that if there was any reduction or removal of any OH&S legislation, “then we will stop the mines that our members work in and withdraw our labour until there's some sense around the issue, because safety is too important to be given to the bosses in the coal companies who, over the years, have had our members have been killed in explosions and maimed in the workplace. Make no bones about it, we're serious about this.”