Pilbara

Thursday, 11 May 2017

Last night, the WA Greens gave notice during the opening of the 40^th Parliament they would introduce a bill to rescind the sale of Utah Point Processing Facility in Port Hedland, keeping the asset in the hands of Western Australians.

Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC, who introduced the motion, said timing was critical if the sale was to be halted.

“It is essential that we reverse the privatisation agenda of the former Barnett government before it is too late; profitable state-owned assets are critical to long-term economic security in WA.

“Furthermore, the Utah Point facility is a significant local job creator in the Port Hedland region and selling it could diminish its contribution to the struggling local economy. Profit-driven multinationals will continue to drive jobs offshore, as we have seen over the last decade, putting further pressure on our regional centres.

“The Labor Party campaigned strongly against the privatisation of Western Power throughout the election and strongly opposed the sale of Utah Point in the 39^th Parliament.

“By coming into power we would like to congratulate the Labor Party on halting the potentially disastrous sale of Western Power, and are hopeful they will extend the commitment to other important public assets.”

Media contact: Tim Oliver 0431 9696 25                                                                                                     

Wednesday, 15 February

The WA Greens have announced they will move to rescind the sale of Utah Point processing facility in Port Hedland after the March state election, to preserve local jobs in Port Hedland and long-term state revenue.

Longstanding MLC Robin Chapple today called on Labor to publically support this position, and on the National Party to reverse their support for privatisation in the next term of government.

“Utah Point is the only facility in Port Hedland that is not owned and utilised by either BHP, FMG or Roy Hill; it allows small miners without rail to compete and provides ongoing, indefinite revenue to the state of Western Australia,” Robin said.

“Brendon Grylls wants to introduce an illegal tax on BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto but he’s happy to let the sale of Utah Point slide, a move that directly contributes to the monopolisation of the iron ore industry in WA.

“Labor opposed the privatisation of Utah Point in Parliament and have been very vocal about stopping the sale of Western Power, so where are they on this issue now? They’re cherry-picking metro issues for votes and ignoring their regional constituents.

“The WA Greens have consistently stood up for the rights of small miners to access Port Hedland Harbour and we wholly opposed the privatisation legislation. Privatisation of Utah Point is akin to selling your house to pay off your mortgage.”

WA Greens Pilbara candidate Brent McKenna said the sale of Utah Point would ultimately mean a loss of local jobs in Port Hedland, a town that is already struggling to cope with the impacts of a largely FIFO workforce and normalisation of growth within the mining industry.

“If the Nationals priority is to protect regional jobs, as they claim, then they should have had the fortitude to stand withsmaller miners and oppose privatisation of public assets in Western Australia,” Brent said.

“When you look at the devastation caused by boom-bust cycles, exaggerated population growth projections and irresponsible infrastructure spending with no focus on what communities actually need, it’s hard to believe there’s anyone in politics really standing up for regional WA.

“The WA Greens want to see our regional communities rejuvenated, and will move to rescind the sale of Utah Point Processing Facility as soon as Parliament is returned following the March 11 poll.”

Media contact - Tim Oliver: 0431 9696 25

Thursday, 20^th October 2016

The WA Greens have criticised the Nationals after they have continued to support the Government’s position on the sale of Utah Point in Port Hedland.

“The Nationals say they are for small miners, but they have supported a bill that benefits big business and leaves small miners in the dust” WA Greens spokesperson for mining, Robin Chapple MLC said. 

“Utah Point is the only facility in Port Hedland that is not owned and utilised by either BHP, FMG or Roy Hill, and it allows small miners to compete.

“The Bill proposes the privatisation of Utah point, a move which could allow foreign investors or huge mining companies to move in and price their smaller competitors out of existence.

“The Nationals are hypocritical - they want to tax BHP and RIO Tinto, but they won't protect small miners.

“They supported recommendations from the Committee to limit the effect of privatisation, but won't support the Greens amendments which mirror those recommendations, and have the full support of small miners.

“The WA Greens have consistently stood up for the rights of small miners to access Port Hedland and we wholly oppose the privatisation, via the Pilbara Port Assets (Disposal) Bill 2015, altogether.

“However, If the sale goes ahead we believe Utah Point should only be reserved for small miners and should not be leased to the highest bidder.

“If the Nationals really wanted to protect regional jobs, as they claim, then they should have the fortitude to stand withsmaller miners and not only support our amendments, but wholly oppose the privatisation of Utah Point facility.”

Legislative council have been debating the Bill since March. 

For more information please contact Tim Oliver on 08 9486 8255 or 0431 9696 25.