Mount Isa Council disputes FIFO committee chair Jim Pearce’s claims his committee has received no submissions from North West Queensland about FIFO impact on communities.
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Mayor Joyce McCulloch said Mount Isa City Council had put in a submission to the FIFO inquiry but it was via the Local Government Association of Queensland.
“The introduction of legislation which will ban future resources projects from employing a 100 percent FIFO workforce is exactly what Mount Isa needs to ensure our economic future,” Cr McCulloch said.
Mr Pearce’s initial claim was a response to Mount Isa member Robbie Katter who flagged concerns about the lack of consultation in the North West regarding a Bill about the impact of FIFO on communities. Regional public hearings on the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Bill 2016 are set to be held this month but none will be in the North West.
Mr Pearce, (Labor, Mirani) said it was government policy to send committees into the community to enable them to make comment on the legislation but speaking at the Boulia hearings into stock routes he said Mr Katter was wrong in this matter.
“I like Robbie Katter, he’s a darn good guy but I’m really disappointed he has come out with that line,” Mr Pearce said.
“Simple because we’ve already had one round of meetings last year and there was no interest from the Mount Isa area at that particular time and we haven’t got any submissions from that area either.”
Mr Pearce said Mr Katter had written to the committee to provide an opportunity to talk to it.
“We’ve said if he can get the people together, we’ll meet with them,” he said.
Mr Pearce said the closest council he had seen a submission from was Emerald.
Cr McCulloch said Mr Pearce’s comments no one west of Emerald made submissions was incorrect.
“Mount Isa City Council was certainly clear on our direction when working with the LGAQ, and to have information come back that our voice has not been heard is extremely disappointing.”