Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said it was wonderful to see Rio Tinto setting the benchmark in relation to employing indigenous people at their bauxite sites across Far North Queensland.
Mr Entsch, who toured Rio Tinto’s $2.6 billion Amrun bauxite project near Weipa last week, said it was amazing to see the multi-national engage with the local community to deliver positive and beneficial outcomes.
“Rio Tinto’s indigenous workforce in the region has now reached 574 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, including 243 local Aboriginal people,” Mr Entsch said.
“It is wonderful to see a company truly engage with the local indigenous community and give them the same opportunities afforded the rest of us.
“Rio Tinto has really stepped-up to the plate and provided local indigenous people with employment pathways and training opportunities and for that they should be commended.”
Mr Entsch said he was also impressed with Rio Tinto’s engagement with local businesses across the region.
“Rio Tinto’s Amrun project has directly engaged with 704 Queensland businesses, 74 Western Cape York businesses and 17 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business,” he said.
“Everyone knows that local investment creates local jobs.
“Rio Tinto has a long and proud history of partnering with Traditional Owners on Cape York and I have no doubt they will continue to create opportunities for indigenous people from Cape York and the surrounding region for years to come.”
Rio Tinto Amrun Project general manager Marcia Hanrahan said it was a pleasure to welcome Warren to Amrun to see first-hand the progress we are making with this $2.6 billion project.
“We are proud of the contribution it has made so far in providing jobs and strengthening the economy of Queensland as well as the important role it will play in building a sustainable future for the people of the Cape York region in the decades to come,” she said.
