Media Release

AN Australian Party government will immediately introduce regulations requiring Australian labour in all mining projects before a permit to mine is issued, announced Federal leader Bob Katter today.

"And we call upon the ALP and the LNP to join us," said Mr Katter, the federal member for Kennedy.

Mr Katter said it was beyond comprehension that the ALP – which was formed on the protection of Australian jobs from cheap overseas labour – had not denied reports that it was considering mining industry demands to parachute in foreign workers.

"And we all know that if the ALP allows it, the LNP will allow it 10 times faster," he said.

"In sharp contrast we have laid down what our policy will be. Whilst exceptions will have to be provided, they will be as common as a feathered frog on the Back of Beyond Billabong."

Mr Katter said the real motivation behind the foreign workers push was to smash Australian workers’ pay rates and job security.

"This is all about undermining awards and will result in increasing dangerous working conditions. Under this arrangement both profits and the wages will go offshore. All Queenslanders will be left with is a hole in the ground."

Mr Katter said that instead of shipping in foreign workers, training programs to skill-up an Australian workforce must begin immediately and this must include 2000 training positions for Australians seeking employment in the mining industry.

"Don’t tell me that you cannot find workers when there are at least 10,000 First Australians," he said.

Mr McLindon, the state member for Beaudesert, said statements by the LNP leader that he did not support proposals that the Federal Government allow foreign workers to be parachuted into Galilee Basin mining projects were grossly misleading.

"He should either be honest and say he will allow this to happen, or return his $1.1m donation to Clive Palmer who is clearly in favour of the plan," said Mr McLindon. "Do we really think when it comes to paying the bills for the LNP, they won’t be thinking about the demands of the biggest political contributor in Australia’s history?"

Infinitely more importantly is taking our jobs, undermining our wage rates and sending our profits overseas leaving Queensland with nothing. "We’ve laid down the challenge," said Mr Katter.