The Queensland Government today accepted a dirty deal that allows three mining bosses to walk free after their involvement in the fatality of coal mineworker Mr Ian Downes.
Mr Ian Downes received fatal injuries when the mine wall failed and fell on him at Anglo American’s Grasstree Mine underground mine in Central Queensland.
Charges where brought against three mine bosses and Anglo Coal (CAPCOAL MANAGEMENT PTY LTD).
Queensland District President Steve Smyth said that the Queensland Government should never have accepted a deal that allows the three mine bosses to walk free.
Anglo had three fatalities at their mining operations in the period of May 2014 to February 2015 and not one person has been held accountable to date, despite the fact Anglo had pleaded guilty to one charge which led to the death of Mr Downes.
Mr Smyth said while the family and workmates mourn the loss of a loved one, friend and colleague, the Queensland Government has rubbed salt into the wound by accepting this “dirty deal” and allowing these bosses to walk free.
Mr Ian Downes received fatal injuries when the mine wall failed and fell on him at Anglo American’s Grasstree Mine underground mine in Central Queensland.
Charges where brought against three mine bosses and Anglo Coal (CAPCOAL MANAGEMENT PTY LTD).
Queensland District President Steve Smyth said that the Queensland Government should never have accepted a deal that allows the three mine bosses to walk free.
- “If you kill a worker, you should go to jail – it’s that simple,” said Mr Smyth.
- “These guys will now be free to continue managing mines, without having to face justice and be held accountable for their poor management that led to the death of Mr Downes.
- “The Queensland Government and its Departments need to stop protecting big business and hold these companies and their bosses to account,” he said.
Anglo had three fatalities at their mining operations in the period of May 2014 to February 2015 and not one person has been held accountable to date, despite the fact Anglo had pleaded guilty to one charge which led to the death of Mr Downes.
Mr Smyth said while the family and workmates mourn the loss of a loved one, friend and colleague, the Queensland Government has rubbed salt into the wound by accepting this “dirty deal” and allowing these bosses to walk free.
- “Yet again justice for a life has been denied. The Queensland Government and its departments should be standing up to industrial homicide, not excusing it.
- “The Queensland Government and its departments need to be held accountable for their role in protecting bosses that have killed a worker.
- “Where is the justice for the family?”
- “By accepting dirty deals the Queensland Government and its departments are just as guilty as the bosses of the mine.”
- “Our condolences go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Downes at this difficult time,” he said.
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