Key should act now on mine safety, says union

21 June, 2011

News Release

Key should act now on mine safety, says union

The Government’s admission that New Zealand’s mine safety standards are below par means it should act now, not wait until the Royal Commission has finished its work, says EPMU national secretary Andrew Little.

The Prime Minister John Key has told Australian media that there will be changes to mining safety laws, following the Pike River coalmine disaster where 29 men died.

In an exclusive interview with The Australian, Key said that the Pike River mine, which was a single-entry uphill mine, ‘couldn’t have been constructed in Australia’ because it would have been ‘illegal’.

‘There will be changes in New Zealand,’ he said.

The EPMU, the union representing mine workers in New Zealand, welcomes the Prime Minister’s statement. ‘Now we know that the government has identified problems with safety standards, we can act now to fix them,’ says Little. ‘We don’t need to wait for the Royal Commission’s decision. And we can spare the families further pain and suffering.’

‘There is plenty of international evidence and expertise available to start making changes to mine safety regulations now.’

The EPMU has consistently highlighted problems with mining safety regulations and practice in New Zealand. Independent audits on underground mine safety released last month by the Department of Labour showed serious deficiencies in health and safety systems in New Zealand’s underground coal mines.

ENDS

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