Hi-vis vests, King Gees and boots? Pauline Hanson welcomes mineworkers to share Family Law experiences
Media Release
One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson has assured she will push for hearings for the Family Law Inquiry to be scheduled in every state and territory, including in some of Australia’s remote mining areas.
The assurance has been welcomed by West Australian MLC Robin Scott, whose electorate includes the mining City of Kalgoorlie Boulder, and includes family law issues as key recent concerns.
Senator Hanson wants to make sure key sectors of the working community are not overlooked and that they get convenient access to the listening ears of committee members when the historic inquiry begins.
“This issue impacts people in all walks of Australian life – it doesn’t discriminate – and mine workers are among sectors of society that have been hit very hard, both financially and emotionally, by the problems in the system,” Senator Hanson said.
“I want to make sure they are able to have a say – they can turn up in their high-vis shirts, King Gees and work boots, however they feel comfortable – but they must have that opportunity to express their views.
“I’ll be pushing hard to make sure hearings are scheduled in key mining regions because everyone needs to be heard and we will come to them.”
Some mineworkers say they feel like they are regarded as “milking cows”, being continually hit for more funds by their ex-partners because of the relatively high wages they might receive as a result of the hard labour that goes with their profession. They also often feel they have nowhere to turn due to the remoteness of many of their work sites.
One Nation’s Mr Scott, whose constituents include the workers in Kalgoorlie Boulder, is a strong advocate for those locals impacted by Family Law shortcomings.
Mr Scott acknowledged there were horror stories from both men and women, and the review would give everyone a chance to have a say.
He also noted the high attendance at a Family Law and Child Safety forum held in Mandurah, just near Perth, in August as indicating the readiness of the local community to respond to the historic review.
The Family Law Inquiry is the most comprehensive review of the Family Law and Child Support systems in decades. It will be made up of 10 members of parliament and senators and will invite submissions from the public in coming weeks.
ENDS
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