The Queensland Government is funding a mobile health screening service for coal workers.                  

Over 100 Queensland mine workers have been diagnosed with pneumoconiosis – an incurable and potentially fatal disease caused by lengthy exposure to coal dust.

Queensland’s new state budget includes $1.2 million over two years to fit out and staff a mobile screening service to better detect the black lung, silicosis and other industrial lung diseases.

The new measure comes in addition to existing specialist services, which includes screening for the state’s 38,000 coal workers when they enter and leave the industry, and every five years in the industry.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and several of her ministers have travelled to coal communities in recent weeks, pushing new coal infrastructure and making announcements about jobs.

Analysts say the state Labor government is scrambling to appeal to regional voters after the party was smashed at the federal poll.