The Black Lung Victims Group have called for a 10 cent a tonne industry funded compensation levy.
The group, which was formed last month by a group of coal mine workers who were living with the disease, wrote a letter to the Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche calling for the levy.
In a national radio interview last week, Mr Roche dismissed the idea even though he claimed he hadn’t seen the letter.
CFMEU Mining and Energy Division Queensland District Secretary Stephen Smyth backed the call for a levy.
“Coal companies should be paying for the pain and suffering they have caused, not the taxpayers of Queensland. Mining companies cannot be let off the hook for a deadly disease that was caused by their own negligence,” Mr Smyth said.
“What Michael Roche is saying is that the workers and the victims of black lung are not worth 10 cents – a tiny fraction of what mining companies get for coal.
“Mr Roche wrongly asserts that the existing workers compensation system is enough support for victims.
“The truth is that the existing workers compensation arrangements aren’t designed for black lung sufferers because the coal companies were supposed to have eradicated this deadly disease decades ago.”
Last month, Black Lung Victims Group spokesperson Steve Mellor said only by coming together could the group ensure their voice would be heard.
He said there were at least 29 confirmed victims of black lung, and many more unconfirmed.
The group is calling for:
- An industry-funded victims’ levy of 10 cent per tonne on all coal produced in Queensland to support victims and changes to workers compensation so that the system protects and supports Black Lung victims;
- A Royal Commission into Black Lung disease;
- Reductions in legal dust levels in Queensland to 2.5mg per cubic metre; and
- Introduction of independent and transparent dust reporting and monitoring, including giving Check Inspectors the right to conduct spot checks on any mine, at any time, without notice; and recorded dust levels reported publicly (identified, by mine) on a public website.
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