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15 October 2009

Wayne Hanson comments in the Roxby downs Sun (amended) about BHP's plan to use prison labor.

From the Roxby Downs Sun:

A plan to give low-security Port Augusta Prison inmates work experience and training with BHP Billiton at or near its Olympic Dam mine has been slammed by the Australian Workers Union (AWU).

South Australian branch secretary, Wayne Hanson, lashed out at the mining giant and the State Government last week, saying they are letting down both Indigenous people and Australian workers.

While he is not apposed to Aboriginal prisoners gaining access to rehabilitation and training, Mr Hanson said he does not understand why law-abiding citizens, especially those who have been retrenched, cannot also get the chance to obtain training with the company.

"I don't believe for one second that there are insufficient opportunities to cover both situations".

"There are a lot of people in that northern area of the state who would also like some opportunities to be employed by BHP," he said.

Last week the minister for correctional services, Tom Koutsantonis, congratulated BHP on contributing to the local community, however Mr Hanson said the move by the mining giant falls well short of its potential.

"I think the way BHP treats all people is abhorrent," he said.

"BHP is a very poor corporate citizen in the way that they treat Indigenous people".

The AWU is now calling upon the State Government to demand BHP Billiton gives more back to the state, indigenous people and communities in the north.

"In my opinion South Australians are not getting sufficient bang for their buck (from BHP) and the blame for that lies solely at the feet of the South Australian Government".