Shifting alliances in coal power study stand-off

The miners’ union has taken a big step away from its traditional left faction alliance in support of a power station study in Collinsville. The Construction, Forestry, Mining, Maritime and Energy Union (CFMMEU) was prepared to fight its political allies in the industry’s best interests, said mining division state president Stephen Smyth. The Federal Government had moved to back Shine Energy’s proposed $3.3 million study into a 1GW high efficiency, low emissions plant. The existing Collinsville power station (no longer in operation). NSW Labor Senator Jenny McAllister gave notice of the disallowance motion yesterday. The construction and mining wings of the union have moved as a unit in opposition. Left faction aligned Labor Environmental Action Network lobbying to frustrate New Acland coal’s expansion plans on the Darling Downs was the last straw, Mr Smyth said. “They’re pushing against us,” he said. “It’s like we’re fighting for survival against a whole lot of Brisbane-based shiny arses.” CFMMEU Qld Mining and Energy Division president Stephen Smyth. “It should be no surprise we are coming out in support of the owners and contractors to fight for the protection of jobs and industry. We’re aligned with them in supporting a future for the industry. “Mining is a powerhouse of the economy. It is what is getting us through COVD-19. Our members and their families are the spirit of those communities which support the industry.” In the blue corner, Central Queensland-based LNP Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry and National Party Senator Matthew Canavan have jointly expressed their bemusement. “Last week, I urged the Labor Party to stand on the side of our coal jobs and the resources industry but unfortunately, they have failed spectacularly to do so, proving once again they’ve abandoned workers and their families,” Ms Landry said. Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry and Senator Matt Canavan “While we expected the Greens to oppose the legislative instrument, I didn’t expect the former workers' party to oppose a project which stands to deliver cheaper power prices, more employment opportunities and a raft of economic benefits to Collinsville." The move showed Labor had deserted its working-class roots to side with the Greens, said Senator Canavan. “The green left remains in control of the once proud Labor party,” he said, "and no matter how many times Joel Fitzgibbon dons a hi-vis shirt, Labor's opposition to coal power shows that he is all shirt and no shovel. “If Labor won't support coal fired power stations here, how can you rely on them to support the export of our coal to power stations overseas? “The people of Queensland voted for the Coalition in droves last year which included our policy to support coal power in North Queensland. By trying to stop this, the Labor party is once again ignoring Queenslanders." Shine Energy’s proposed 1GW HELE coal-fired power station in Collinsville is expected to create 2000 jobs during construction and 600 operational jobs. Whitsunday Regional Councillor Mike Brunker has Labor endorsement to run in the state seat of Burdekin in this year’s election. The CFMMEU was backing his run said Cr Brunker, who supports the power station study. Whitsunday Councillor Mike Brunker. “If the union chooses to go (exit from the labor left faction), that doesn’t affect my position running for a state seat,” he said. “I look at it like tent boxing, you can yell from the outside or you can be inside the ring fighting. I’ll fight for whatever benefits the residents of the region.”

Shifting alliances in coal power study stand-off

Industry Queensland

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