Damien
O’Connor
MP for West Coast-Tasman

29 August 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT

Spring Creek decision devastating for Coast

News that Solid Energy is suspending operations at Spring Creek is a devastating blow for West Coast says West Coast-Tasman MP Damien O’Connor.

“There has been much hype and hope generated by the company, and many workers have invested in their future based on that hope.

“This is a sudden and sad turnaround and it will have a severe effect not only on the workers and their families but on a much wider community.

“It is also a sad reminder of the erratic management and direction of the company during the 1990s, when the National Government indicated it wanted to sell the company and the West Coast suffered from layoffs and second rate decisions that impacted severely on the coal mining company.

“We are again suffering the same plight. The National Government wants to sell off Solid Energy, the Board and management want to slash costs and it’s the West Coast workers – not those sitting in head office - and their families suffer the consequences.

“Any good company, mining or otherwise would have a more measured and longer term view of both job and company prospects.

“Once again the West Coast seems to suffer from a National Government determined to sell our assets and decisions driven by poor management that undermine our local economy,” said Damien O’Connor.

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