If a casual worker is doing the same work as a permanent worker for a period of time greater than 12 months, they should have an option to convert to a permanent role. That is an issue which I have campaigned on for many years. 

At my insistence, the Morrison Liberal National government put draft laws before the parliament last year to allow casual miners to convert to permanent work. Sadly, the draft laws didn’t get through the parliament. Why? Well, here’s the crazy thing:

Labor opposed the draft law allowing casual miners to convert to permanent work. This essentially meant the law would be blocked in the Senate and so it was abandoned. Labor has repeatedly let down miners and North Queensland by opposing the opening of new coal mines like Carmichael and Acland, and by opposing new coal-fired power generation in our region.

Further to this, Queensland Labor is pursuing and funding a radical Greens policy called 'Just Transition', aimed at shutting down the coal industry and implementing ‘pooled redundancies’ across the coal industry – that means mass sackings.

It seems Labor love the Greens more than they love coal miners.

We are now introducing a new bill which will give casual miners the right to convert to permanent work after 12 months of employment.

Labor claim to be the party for the workers - well let’s see if they back this new legislation which will provide job security for thousands of Australian workers.

Send a message to Labor to back the bill!

- George Christensen