Today's decision to kick Resources Minister Keith Pitt out of cabinet to the outer ministry shows the Nationals are hypocrites when it comes to their support for mining, the Miners' Union said today.
Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce claimed he'd fight for mining jobs when he rolled Michael McCormack, but his first act as leader has seen him downgrade the Resources portfolio.
CFMEU Mining and Energy Division General Secretary Grahame Kelly said the Nationals claims to support mining jobs were baseless.
"The Nationals only care about mineworkers for their votes," said Mr Kelly.
"Our coal and iron ore industries are major employers and export earners, but today's reshuffle means there will be no-one in cabinet advocating for mining.
"We've already watched the Nationals claim to stand up for mineworkers out of one side of their mouth while selling out their work rights from the other.
"Now they have downgraded the Resources portfolio within Government because the Minister didn't back Barnaby Joyce's leadership ambitions.
"The only jobs the Nationals are laser-focused on are their own. This decision will be noted with disappointment across the industry."
