CFMEU plan for black lung levy

A BLACK lung levy would be whacked on Queensland ­mining companies to pay their victims under a CFMEU plan supported by Labor’s powerful Left faction.

A BLACK lung levy would be whacked on Queensland ­mining companies to pay their victims under a CFMEU plan supported by Labor’s powerful Left faction.

A motion allowing the State Government to modify mining leases at any time, raising questions about sovereign risk, is also being pushed by the ­Office of Environment Minister Steven Miles.

The motions, which will be put to this weekend’s Labor state conference, have drawn the ire of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Resources Minister Matt Canavan and the Queensland Resources Council.

Sources tell The ­Courier-Mail that Annastacia Palaszczuk also is not convinced of the plans’ merits.

The ALP’s Policy Consultative Committee met on Monday night to discuss a range of issues, including:

● A plan for Labor to introduce a levy of 10 cents per tonne of coal produced in Queensland on mining companies to establish an assistance fund for ­victims of black lung and other dust-related diseases; and

● A proposal that Labor commit to reviewing the terms of mining leases, with the terms of reference to include mining approvals and conditions and how ongoing changes in communities are considered. It will include developing a mechanism for reviewing terms of mining leases, including mining approvals, conditions and effects on communities where necessary.

About 10 people have been diagnosed with black lung in Queensland since last year.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche slammed the proposals. “The QRC does not believe there is any need for changes to the system of granting and conditioning mining leases,” he said.

Mr Turnbull said the changes were being driven by the CFMEU. “It’s disturbing but not surprising that the CFMEU is pursuing its militant agenda by trying to rewrite Queensland Labor’s policy platform.”

A spokeswoman for state Mines Minister Anthony Lynham said: “The Minister will continue to advocate for the sustainable development of our resources to generate jobs and business ­opportunities.”