Labor must uphold election commitment and back jobs

Friday, 5th June 2020

The decision by the High Court today has no bearing on the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s ability to provide certainty and grant critical approvals at the New Acland Mine.

LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said that it was time for Annastacia Palaszczuk to uphold her election promise and approve the mine since it was no longer before the land court.

“The court’s decision was unrelated to the approvals being sought to guarantee 450 local secure jobs,” Ms Frecklington said.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor are the only ones standing in the way of securing these much-needed regional jobs.

“The Premier needs to honour her election promise and stop moving the goal posts.

“It’s time for Annastacia Palaszczuk to start backing local jobs on the Darling Downs.”

LNP Member for Condamine Pat Weir said that overwhelmingly the Oakey and Darling Downs community support the expansion of the mine to secure local jobs.

“We have seen a concerted campaign by the entire Oakey community from the chamber of commerce, local businesses and workers all calling for the Labor to approve the expansion,” Mr Weir said.

“Communities like Oakey need these 450 secure jobs to ensure it continues to function, especially in light of the recent coronavirus impacts. 

“Hundreds of jobs had already been unnecessarily lost on the Darling Downs because of Labor’s anti-resources agenda.

“Only a Deb Frecklington LNP Government will back secure regional jobs and get Queensland working again.”