Katter's Australian Party Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter said urgent investigations must be undertaken into claims of corruption and coercion by Chinese mine investors and owners of CuDeco Limited.
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The North West Star received an exclusive interview from Oz Mining last week, accusing the Chinese owners and investors of CuDeco Limited of selling the company back to themselves under a new entity.
Mr Katter has been vocal in fighting against the non-payment of staff at Rockland Copper Mine, located outside Cloncurry, and previously owned by the Brisbane-based but China-owned miner CuDeco.
Dozens of staff and suppliers are owed vast unpaid dues in superannuation, leave and wages. Mining contractor Oz Mining is reportedly owed $35 million.
Last October, Mr Katter wrote to Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath seeking assistance to ensure the matter was not ignored.
"We want the matter reasonably and fairly addressed in favour of the workers who have been negatively impacted through no fault of their own," he said at the time.
The latest accusations of Chinese corruption and coercion have added heavily to the KAP's grave concerns regarding foreign ownership and interference in Australia.
"We continue to be deeply concerned about the erosion of our national interests by foreign interference," Mr Katter said.
"It applies to our higher education sector, the buy-up of our land, real estate, water rights and the movement of our core processing and manufacturing industries offshore.
Mr Katter said it was pertinent that whoever purchased and re-opened the Rockland Copper Mine commit to a locally-based workforce at all costs.
The North West Star is following up the proceedings of the federal court hearing which will determine what happens with the sale of CuDeco.
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
