Where candidates stand on Labor workers plan

TODAY Labor announced a five-point plan to protect coal workers, to be incorporated into planning legislation.

Mr Drayton said he’s happy to have the support of Opposition Leader Jodi McKay and the Labor Party in regards to the bill (see: Labor backs Jeff’s bill for workers).

“Certainly I’ll make it my first job if I get elected into Parliament, to introduce the bill into Parliament,” said Mr Drayton.

The five-point policy covered the following:

1. Mining companies must directly employ 80 percent of their workforce;
2. Gaol time for mining bosses convicted of breaching new industrial manslaughter offences;
3. The ‘fit and proper person test’ applied to require mining companies to engage in safe practices;
4. Labor hire workers to receive the same pay as directly employed workers, and
5. A local jobs test, which ensures as mine sites become automated they meet a “no net job loss” test.

Where candidates stand

In alphabetical order

Sue Abbott, Greens Party:

“These employment protections are the basic minimum for mine workers,” said Ms Abbott.

“The Greens believe we need to urgently and permanently end the two class system for mine workers where a minority are on full pay and conditions as employees but more and more are low wage labor hire workers,” she said.

“These state policies are only required because of the lack of protections for working people under Federal Labor’s so-called Fair Work Act,” she said.

“The Greens are sticking by our long standing commitment to support industrial manslaughter laws and proper employment protections and we will keep to that promise whether or not there is a high profile by-election,” Sue Abbott said.

Kate Fraser, Independent:

“I find it all a little confusing, because the goal posts are picked up and and changed twice a day,” said Ms Fraser.

“If you’re going to promise something, you’ve got to say when it’s going to happen,” she said.

“I don’t disagree with some of the things they’re saying, particularly the safety, but it’s tit for tat, one party comes out with a statement and another comes out with another one,” she said.

“The Independents don’t have to come out with these promises because an Independent Member of Parliament wields enormous power and would be in a position to say to something, ‘right, you tell me when this is going to start and I’ll consider your option.'”

“These promises should be finite and have a date for funding and commencement,” said Kate Fraser.

Sue Gilroy, Shooters Farmers and Fishers Party: 

“It’s nice that Labor has finally remembered its roots and is going to fight for the workers instead of the woke city lefties,” said Ms Gilroy.

“In the last fortnight we’ve had senior Labor members at wind farms talking about renewables being the way of the future,” she said.

“Who are the Labor Party and who do they really stand for? Jeff Drayton will be a Labor back bencher fighting with his own party over fight for the people of the Upper Hunter. That’s not the representation we deserve,” said Sue Gilroy.

David Layzell, Nationals Party: 

“I’ve traveled the length and breadth of this electorate and this issue has not been raised with me. A lot of these issues are a matter for the Federal Government,” said Mr Layzell.

“I’m focused on delivering jobs and prosperity for the communities of the Upper Hunter,” he said.

Bruce MacKenzie, Independent: 

“I can’t comment because I haven’t seen it,” said Mr MacKenzie.

“It’s typical they make all of these announcements at a by-election and each year do nothing. They seem to come to life during the last six weeks before their term’s finish,” he said.

Dale McNamara, One Nation:

“It doesn’t matter how many points Labor’s Jeff Drayton’s plan has. The NSW Labor party has the destruction of the mining industry built into its policy platform,” said Mr McNamara.

“In November in NSW Parliament, Labor and their mirror party, the Greens, voted 60 times against coal and in favour of 100 percent renewables. Matt Kean’s 100 percent renewables plan, supported by the Nationals, Labor and the Greens, won’t be able to keep the lights on in NSW, destroying the coal industry and jobs: the same jobs Jeff Drayton claims to defend,” he said.

“Only One Nation voted 60 times in favour of coal and the tens of thousands of jobs it provides in the Upper Hunter,” he said.

“Jeff Drayton’s voice is and will be ignored by his very own Party. Any claim he makes regarding security for mining jobs is instantly negated by his Party’s voting record and current policies,” he said.

“This is a matter of fact and on the public record. Only One Nation stands for the miners and securing their future employment,” said Dale McNamara.

Tracy Norman, Independent:

“My first thought is, it seems low on detail and quite a difficult thing to impose on a privately run company or business especially when it comes to how they employ their staff,” said Ms Norman.

“As part of the conditions of consent, I’m not sure what legislation that would look for because planning legislation doesn’t necessarily talk about employees, so I’m not sure how it would be brought about,” she said.

“I have absolutely no problems with safe and fair work place practises, I think that’s incredibly important,” she said.

“If the labour hire was the same pay rate, it should include conditions. I think we can make sure those working there can get equivalent rights and paying conditions,” she said.

“It’s really important that all workers get good paying conditions. I’m just not sure it’s the government position to impose the makeup of their workforce and sometimes, for instance in Council, you bring labour hire in when there’s a job that goes over and above what you’d normally need and that’s when labour hire comes in.

“The manslaughter one, they’re going to have big trouble. The majority of the mines in the Upper Hunter are owned by overseas interests as far as I know,” said Tracy Norman.

Kirsty O’Connell, Independent: 

“The major parties continue to dodge the tough questions when it comes to protecting livelihoods for coal workers and coal-focussed businesses,” said Ms O’Connell.

Steve Reynolds, Independent:

“That’s pretty much word for word what I have been saying, especially the local employment obligation enforced and including the additional training for existing employees in advance of any transitional arrangements, so as to keep abreast of any changes,” said Mr Reynolds.

“Ideally there would be a variety of course options to the employees, including but not limited to, qualifications in conservation and land management, horticulture etc for those that wish to continue on with the rehabilitation of post mining,” he said.

“I also strongly believe that the mine sites need an engagement office directly in the main CBD of the community they are directly working in. The casualisation needs to stop. Especially to the extent it is. That’s a hard and fast non negotiable. Enabling these employees the security of full time employment will see the local communities grow in various ways, from residential housing growth through to spending in our local shops, organising holidays with travel agents et cetera,” he said.

“How we have let it get to the extent it currently is needs to be investigated. How can you have decent hardworking employees in the same job with minimal leave for eight years plus? That doesn’t pass any pub test,” said Steve Reynolds.

For more information on where candidates stand: Voting 101: Upper Hunter by-election.