Ford to head Port Hedland Jobs Taskforce

11/11/04
State Development Minister Clive Brown today announced that Mining and Pastoral MLC Jon Ford would head a taskforce aimed at ensuring new jobs and opportunities for the small number of workers at BHP Billiton's Boodarie Iron plant who are made redundant.
The 'Port Hedland Jobs Taskforce' would work closely with BHP Billiton, which had already committed to retaining core employees at the plant redeploying as many workers as possible within its rapidly expanding iron ore operations.
Mr Brown said while uncertainty surrounding the future of the Boodarie Iron plant was concerning, he was optimistic that the rapidly expanding iron ore industry would provide new jobs and opportunities for all workers affected.
"Western Australia's iron ore industry is going through a period of rapid expansion, with both BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto expanding their existing operations and new ventures like International Minerals, the Fortescue Metals Group and Hope Downs on the drawing board," he said.
"While today's news about BHP Billiton's Boodarie Iron plant is concerning, with the unemployment rate at a record low of 4.7 per cent, there has never been a better time to find work in WA.
"I wish BHP Billiton and all its Boodarie Iron employees well in getting through this difficult time and assure them that the Government will work with BHP to identify new jobs and opportunities for the workers affected."
Minister's office: 9222 9699