Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter questioned the Prime Minister today about the lack of concise planning undertaken by both the State and Federal Governments for the pursuits of coal mining and the development of the necessary rail lines into the Galilee Basin to support future projects in the region.

Mr Katter has asked the Prime Minister today why after 10 years the mining projects continue to be stalled.

“The Galilee Basin’s been on hold for 10 years. For its coal to be mined, unit haulage costs require that over 120m tonne would have to be carried each year on a single rail line,” Mr Katter said.

Mr Katter believes the government and industry would benefit from providing bonds to the projects to encourage growth in the region and to boost project security.

“Would not government guaranteed development bonds; provide confidence security and multi user status. If such bonds were only issued conditional upon miners investing at high hurt level surely mining would happen,” Mr Katter said.

Currently there are over four projects being considered by the Queensland State Government for rail lines to haul coal out of the mines to ports, impacting unnecessarily on landholders in the Galilee Basin.

Mr Katter believes a rail line out of the Galilee is necessary – but with four projects on the slate – this will impact landholders and the flow of cattle through their pastures. The State Government have issued statements regarding the extensive community consultancy process – but what is needed is action.

Mr Katter is also weary of the use of 457 visa workers who are taking plum mining jobs from Australians.

“Would the PM dialogue with Queensland, who’ve already given the jobs to ‘457’s’ and the ‘rail line’ to GVK to China First to Mac Mining to Adani and reportedly to Santa Claus and the Abominable Snowman.”

Mr Katter is wondering who else the government have promised rail lines to and believes the current slate of projects is farcical.

Question without notice to the Prime Minister June 23, 2014

The Galilee Basin’s been on hold for 10 years. For its coal to be mined, unit haulage costs require that over 120m tonne would have to be carried each year on a single rail line.

Would not Government guaranteed development bonds, provide confidence security and multi user status. If such bonds were only issued conditional upon miners investing at high hurt level surely mining would happen.

Would the PM dialogue with Queensland, who’ve already given the jobs to ‘457’s’ and the ‘rail line’ to GVK to China First to Mac Mining to Adani and reportedly to Santa Claus and the Abominable Snowman.