Whitehaven chief executive officer and managing director Paul Flynn said the launch was a chance for the company to reaffirm its commitment to making a meaningful long-term contribution to regional mining communities.

The plan focuses on the efforts Whitehaven will undertake to address issues affecting local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with the provision of training and employment a major aspect.

“Through close collaboration with Reconciliation Australia and the local Indigenous community, we have identified a number of projects and partnerships that will deliver opportunities and assistance in the areas of greatest need,” Mr Flynn said.

“We believe we have a responsibility to help address Indigenous disadvantage and dislocation in this country and that we can improve their lives by offering real long-term training and employment opportunities.”

Whitehaven had set a target that within five years of Maules Creek commencing production, 10 per cent of the 400-plus strong workforce would be of Indigenous descent, but that’s already been exceeded, with the percentage now standing at 15 per cent.

“We decided to set ourselves this goal, not because we have to, but because it’s the right thing to do, and because we know that self-respect and a secure future very often starts with a skill and a wage,” Mr Flynn said.

“This plan goes beyond providing jobs at Whitehaven – it also seeks to support the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community by working closely with the Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre, improving cultural awareness and understanding and by finding better ways to engage with local Aboriginal women.” 

Justin Mohamed, the chief executive officer of Reconciliation Australia, New England MP Barnaby Joyce, and Haylene Grogan, from Aboriginal Affairs NSW, were on hand for yesterday’s ceremony.