The Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has expressed “deep sadness” in relation to five mineworkers who were critically injured in a mine explosion at the Anglo American Grosvenor mine yesterday. She has also dispatched the Queensland Mine Safety Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham to meet with the Moranbah community regarding the Grosvenor mine explosion.
Ms Palaszczuk said the injured miners, who are reportedly in the 40s and 50s were receiving expert care in the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital burns unit.
“I understand there’s a full investigation underway, some inspectors flew in there yesterday afternoon,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Today I’ve also asked (Dr Anthony Lynham) to actually fly up to Moranbah to meet with the Mayor and to talk to the community about what has happened there. Dr Lynham is also talking to me about the possibility of setting up a board of inquiry into this tragedy.”
Ms Palaszczuk said she was seeking legal advice about a board of inquiry, which would include public hearings, and Dr Lynham would make a recommendation about it later on today.
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Three months ago AMSJ reported that the Queensland Mines Minister failed to initiate a board of inquiry for a spate of mining accidents in the state.
Palaszczuk’s comments and actions have reportedly angered many mineworkers who say ‘enough is enough.’
Several Queensland mine workers told AMSJ that they were sick of the patronising comments and lack of action regarding safety in the State.
“We’re over the rhetoric…lives are hanging in the balance” a worker said on condition of anonymity.
“The fact is, after every accident we here
When asked why Queensland had repeatedly had mine accident, Premier Palaszczuk said it was “very tough work and very complex”.
“We need to get to the bottom of what happened here,” she told local media.
47 mine workers have been killed while working in Queensland mines and quarries across Queensland since 2000
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