Bosses to Fund Wran Plan

A new NSW levy on mining companies is a big step towards bringing safety standards up to scratch, says the CFMEU.

Mining and Energy President Tony Maher said the $13 million levy on mining companies would provide the funds to implement recommendations of the Wran review into mine safety.

"It's better that money is coming from the mining companies no one wants to see it come out of schools and hospitals," Maher said.

The levy will pay for independent mine inspectors, a chairman for the Mine Safety Advisory Council and a mine database.

Maher welcomed in particular the setting up a board of inquiry to monitor enforcement of safety policies.

"What we have is the government setting up of an inquiry to monitor its own performance," Maher said.

NSW Mineral Resources Minister Ian Macdonald said the levy would bring Australia's $9 billion mining industry into line with other industries in paying the full cost of their own safety regulation.

The levy follows CFMEU demands earlier this year for the Government to start moving on Wran review recommendations.

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