Media Release.
11 February 2013
The State Opposition says Newman Government job cuts are raising the threat level to water quality in Rockhampton and other communities in the Fitzroy Basin.
“Reports of eight mines being investigated for allegedly breaching permits to dump toxic water during recent flood rains show water release are not being planned executed or monitored properly by the Newman Government,” said Shadow Environment Minister, Jackie Trad.
"The jobs cuts come on top of LNP legislation pushed through Parliament late last year that lowered environmental standards for mine water releases.
“The facts are clear, the only group the Newman Government consulted when drafting these changes were mining companies — not local communities, not farmers and not environmental scientists.
"What the Newman Government did was effectively allow mining companies to draft their own rules, so it's no surprise that at the first sighting of rain it became 'open season' for water releases.
“What is needed immediately is an independent and expert steering group to ensure mine water releases pose no threat to the quality of water used by the cities towns, families, schools, hospitals, farms and businesses in the basin.
“The State Opposition will be launching a petition calling on the government to do just that.”
Member for Rockhampton, Bill Byrne, said the reports of eight CQ mines being investigated coincided with statements by Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney that people in the region had nothing to worry about.
“In his opinion piece in Saturday’s Rockhampton Morning Bulletin Mr Seeney claimed everything is okay and never said a word about eight mines possibly exceeding the limits of toxic water they are allowed to dump,” Mr Byrne said.
“Mr Seeney has either deliberately misled locals or has not bothered to find out the facts and tell us the truth.
“Either way he is treating Central Queensland residents with contempt, the same as local LNP MPs have been doing in recent months as they have hidden and stayed silent on this issue,” Mr Byrne said.
Ms Trad said the LNP’s mass sackings were causing key government services to crumble.
“In flood-affected areas we have seen how 400 people being sacked from the Department the Community Services has caused unbelievable queues as well as chaos and distress for people seeking state government emergency relief funds,” she said.
“The loss of another 400 jobs in state environmental agencies underlines just what a low priority the LNP government puts on environmental protection and the well-being of Central Queenslanders.
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