❓ Mr Murray asks the Premier about training opportunities and assistance for workers losing jobs in the South West mining sector due to job losses at Worsley and Boddington. The Premier acknowledges the job losses and discusses the state of the resources industry but doesn't directly address the training opportunities question.
AnsweredQoN 85Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MINING —
EMPLOYMENT — SOUTH WEST
85. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Premier:
Before I ask my question, I, too, would like to welcome the
parents and friends of John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School, on behalf
of the member for Bassendean.
I refer the Premier to the 390 jobs being lost at Worsley and
Boddington, on top of the pressure on jobs right across the mining sector. What
training opportunities and other assistance will be provided to those south
west workers who will be losing their jobs?
EMPLOYMENT — SOUTH WEST
85. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Premier:
Before I ask my question, I, too, would like to welcome the
parents and friends of John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School, on behalf
of the member for Bassendean.
I refer the Premier to the 390 jobs being lost at Worsley and
Boddington, on top of the pressure on jobs right across the mining sector. What
training opportunities and other assistance will be provided to those south
west workers who will be losing their jobs?
AnswerView source ↗
Any job losses are distressing for not only individuals and
families, but also the overall economy. We have seen something like a 40 per cent
drop in the alumina price in the last six months—a very sharp decline—and
when that happens, we are going to see reductions in the workforce, both
permanent and contractor employees. Fortunately, I think that there is some
better news in other parts of the resources industry. The iron ore price,
although it is still very fragile, has recovered quite significantly in the
last few weeks and is now I think—still, I hope—above $50. If
it can stay above $50 for a while, that will restore confidence in that area.
We are also seeing a lot of activity in the gold industry, and the gold
industry is actually employing people. One of the strengths of our mining
industry is that it has diversified within itself. Obviously, job losses are
important. I think they represent 15 per cent of the Worsley workforce. That is
a large number of people but it is not that large in the context of the whole
workforce.
Mr
M.P. Murray : It is for the south west.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Yes, it certainly is. I acknowledge that. We are seeing a lot
of displacement taking place in the resources industry, but, again, the
industry is fundamentally strong across our state. It is incredibly strong. It
is a $100 billion-a-year industry, it is export oriented or export dominated,
and I think every other state in Australia would love to have our resources
industry.
Mr
M. McGowan : Answer the question.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I have answered the question, Tintin!
Point of Order
Mrs
M.H. ROBERTS : I make the point that the member for Collie asked one
question and it was: what training opportunities and other assistance will be
provided to those people losing their jobs?
Dr
M.D. Nahan interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Listen in silence, please.
Mrs
M.H. ROBERTS : Obviously, the Premier is allowed to have some latitude to
talk about the general situation, but we are hoping that we will get an answer
to the single question that the member for Collie asked. The Premier has not
told us what training opportunities or other assistance will be available to
those 390 workers.
The
SPEAKER : Is there a supplementary question?
Questions without Notice Resumed
families, but also the overall economy. We have seen something like a 40 per cent
drop in the alumina price in the last six months—a very sharp decline—and
when that happens, we are going to see reductions in the workforce, both
permanent and contractor employees. Fortunately, I think that there is some
better news in other parts of the resources industry. The iron ore price,
although it is still very fragile, has recovered quite significantly in the
last few weeks and is now I think—still, I hope—above $50. If
it can stay above $50 for a while, that will restore confidence in that area.
We are also seeing a lot of activity in the gold industry, and the gold
industry is actually employing people. One of the strengths of our mining
industry is that it has diversified within itself. Obviously, job losses are
important. I think they represent 15 per cent of the Worsley workforce. That is
a large number of people but it is not that large in the context of the whole
workforce.
Mr
M.P. Murray : It is for the south west.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Yes, it certainly is. I acknowledge that. We are seeing a lot
of displacement taking place in the resources industry, but, again, the
industry is fundamentally strong across our state. It is incredibly strong. It
is a $100 billion-a-year industry, it is export oriented or export dominated,
and I think every other state in Australia would love to have our resources
industry.
Mr
M. McGowan : Answer the question.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I have answered the question, Tintin!
Point of Order
Mrs
M.H. ROBERTS : I make the point that the member for Collie asked one
question and it was: what training opportunities and other assistance will be
provided to those people losing their jobs?
Dr
M.D. Nahan interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Listen in silence, please.
Mrs
M.H. ROBERTS : Obviously, the Premier is allowed to have some latitude to
talk about the general situation, but we are hoping that we will get an answer
to the single question that the member for Collie asked. The Premier has not
told us what training opportunities or other assistance will be available to
those 390 workers.
The
SPEAKER : Is there a supplementary question?
Questions without Notice Resumed
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