’Terrible outcome’: Local member for Mulka Yingiya Guyula backs union in Rio Tinto jobs stoush

Member for Mulka Yingiya Guyula has accused the Chief Minister of ‘backing big business at the expense of Territorians’ as Rio Tinto considers laying off up to 30 staff. Latest update.

Independent Member for Mulka Yingiya Guyula said Rio workers had often been adopted into extended Yolngu families. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Member for Mulka Yingiya Guyula has rallied behind Nhulunbuy mine workers facing redundancy while accusing Eva Lawler of “backing big business at the expense of Territorians”.

Speaking after the Electrical Trades Union came out swinging against the proposed redundancies on Wednesday, Mr Guyula said it would be a “terrible outcome” if the workers were replaced with short-term contractors.

“Many of these Rio workers have lived in Arnhem Land for decades,” he said.

“They have raised families in Nhulunbuy and are long-term community members who have contributed to the local community and have often been adopted into extended Yolngu families.

“The lack of housing options in Nhulunbuy means that these people and their families will have to leave the region and find work and housing elsewhere.”

Mr Guyula said he was “concerned about the instability this decision causes” for the region, where many residents “already feel worried about Rio Tinto operations winding down”.

“The community needs to feel that Rio Tinto are looking after their employees and looking after the town, not just making every last dollar they can before walking away,” he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister Eva Lawler said the “shutdown at Nhulunbuy has been on the cards for a long time”.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said ‘how they manage those things are up to them’. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“It is always tough when we see Territorians that are being made redundant or finishing up in their work but there are probably plenty of jobs in those industries, so I’m sure those workers will have opportunities to be re-employed elsewhere,” she said.

When asked about the prospect of local workers being replaced by fly-in fly-out contractors Ms Lawler said they were “decisions that are being made by the mine”.

“They’re in shutdown so I guess they’re managing their workforce and how they manage those things are up to them but yes, of course we want to see Territorians in full time employment.”

In response, Mr Guyula said he was “disappointed” by Ms Lawler’s comments, labelling them “dismissive of the needs of remote community members and the town of Nhulunbuy”.

“It shows a lack of understanding for people who have made remote communities their homes,” he said.

“Rather, the Chief Minister is backing big business at the expense of Territorians and showing a continued lack of care for Nhulunbuy.”

A Rio Tinto spokeswoman previously said no final decision had been made about the redundancies which she said related to “about 30 roles”.

The spokeswoman said a 28-day notice period referred to by the ETU was actually a “consultation period” and that no final decision had been made.

Rio gives redundant Gove refinery workers 28 days to find new jobs

The Electrical Trades Union has condemned a decision by Rio Tinto to make 28 long-term workers redundant, forcing them to “pack up their lives, uproot their families and relocate”.

ETU Queensland and NT secretary Peter Ong said the 28 members at the company’s Gove refinery had been told they would be replaced by contractors for the remainder of the mine’s life.

Mr Ong said the move flew in the face of advocacy from the federal government’s Net Zero Economy Agency which “highlighted the importance of supporting workers through the transition to renewable energy”.

“We absolutely condemn this decision by Rio Tinto,” he said.

“The Northern Territory government should look to the Queensland energy and jobs plan and how it ensures that no energy workers will be left behind in the state’s transition to renewables.”

Mr Ong said the workers — some of whom had lived in Nhulunbuy for up to 20 years — were “well and truly part of the community” but had now been given 28 days to find new jobs.

“These members will most likely have to move away from Gove to find employment opportunities,” he said.

Trucks load scrap metal into a vessel for recycling at Gove, owned by Rio Tinto

“Their partners also work in the community and their kids go to local schools.

“Rio Tinto hasn’t just ended their employment, this decision has uprooted theirs and their families’ lives — it’s an absolute disgrace.”

Mr Ong said ETU members in the coal, gas and mining industries understood the “energy transition is coming” but called for a plan “to guarantee that these workers, their families and their communities are not left behind”.

“The ETU was proud to be involved in the Queensland government energy workers charter that guarantees that no workers will be left without a job in instances like what’s happening in Gove,” he said.

“Our members understand that the refinery is nearing the end of its life but that shouldn’t mean they’re turfed out of a job, their homes and their community because that date is approaching,”

“All Australian jurisdictions and employers in coal, gas and mining industries should be looking to the Queensland government energy workers charter as the gold standard as we transition to renewables.

The ETU's Peter Ong. Photographer: Liam Kidston

“The transition is inevitable but job losses absolutely shouldn’t be.”

A Rio Tinto spokeswoman said no “final decision” had been made about the proposed transition to contracted employees.

“Rio Tinto is committed to working with all stakeholders to prepare the Gove Peninsula for a future beyond bauxite mining, which is expected to cease later this decade,” she said.

“To help ensure the smooth transition of Rio Tinto assets we now run, like water and power, we propose to transition roles in our electrical department, waste water neutralisation plant and residue disposal area to contracting partners.

“No final decision has been made, and we are currently undertaking consultation with our employees.”

The spokeswoman said the move was “focused on activities required beyond mining”.

“We need to work efficiently towards a future transition, while developing local expertise and experience wherever possible,” she said.

“We realise changes like these affect our team members greatly and we will work with those impacted on potential redeployment within Rio Tinto or elsewhere.

“About 30 roles at Rio Tinto Gove will be impacted.”

Originally published as ’Terrible outcome’: Local member for Mulka Yingiya Guyula backs union in Rio Tinto jobs stoush