Published: 22 Jun 2016
Failing to outline a plan for good steady jobs in Central Queensland, the Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, has instead attacked Central Queensland workers’ campaign for Steady Jobs.
CFMEU Mining and Energy Division Vice President, Mitch Hughes, said Ms Landry is ducking the issue and making misleading statements, revealing she has no plan to solve the issue of insecure jobs.
“Ms Landry needs to explain what she is going to do about the contracting out of permanent jobs, rather than just fudging and diverting to other issues like a typical politician,” Mr Hughes said.
“It is shameful for Ms Landry to mislead the public and the media about the union’s support for the Adani coalmine to deflect attention from the very real issue confronting Central Queensland workers.
“The Adani mine is a project the CFMEU has always backed, but Queenslanders deserve to know Ms Landry’s position on rising job insecurity before they vote at the Federal Election.
“If Ms Landry has no plan for protecting the job security of coalmine workers, she should just come out and say that.”
Mr Hughes said the union would be writing to members and asking them to vote for a candidate that will support the Steady Jobs campaign to stop the contracting con and support permanent local jobs.
“The CFMEU has thousands of members in the Capricornia electorate, and we will be writing to each one of them to ask them to vote for a candidate that supports the Steady Jobs campaign, with a commitment to address to replacement of permanent workers with contractors.” Mr Hughes said.
“We suggest that Ms Landry gets to work outlining her position and a plan for good, steady jobs in Central Queensland. If she doesn’t, then we will be asking all union members to put her last at the election.
“If Ms Landry is not prepared to stand up for our jobs, she can’t expect us to support hers.”