QRC calls for tougher penalties for anti-mining protestors

15 December

Click here for photo of QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane.

Click here for TV grabs of QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane.

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The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has called for tougher penalties to be imposed on protesters who illegally disrupt mining activities and abuse and harass people working in the resources sector.

QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said not enough is being done through the legal system to protect resources’ employees and companies from anti-mining activists who repeatedly break the law and jeopardise workplace safety.

“It’s no exaggeration to say people’s lives are being placed in danger – not only the lives of protesters, but that of honest, hardworking people whose workplace safety is being threatened on a regular basis,” he said.

“Protesters are entitled to lawfully express their views, but they’re not entitled to abuse or harass people or to disrupt our workplaces and make them unsafe just because they don’t like our industry.

“The constant harassment, abuse and law-breaking happening on Queensland mine sites and at port and rail facilities has got to stop.

“It wouldn’t be tolerated in any other industry, and it’s taking a toll on the health and wellbeing of resources’ employees who have to deal with these activists.

“People who break the law should face the full force of the law.

“At the moment there are not enough legal consequences being imposed on perpetrators in the form of the maximum legal penalties available,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“I feel for the police officers who arrest the perpetrators, and then have to see them go through court and receive a slap on the wrist in the form of a minor fine. In some cases there’s not even a conviction recorded.”