The Morrison Government has delivered a slap in the face to mining and resources communities around Australia by dumping the portfolio from Cabinet.

Resources is a critical economic portfolio for Australia that demands a seat at the Cabinet table. The sector represents half of Australia’s exports and directly employs more than 260,000 people.

Keith Pitt was far from a stellar resources minister -- but at least he had a seat at the Cabinet table. 

After rolling Michael McCormack last week, Barnaby Joyce declared he would have a “laser-like focus” on the needs of resources communities.

It seems that focus only lasted a few days.

The Nationals sell out mining workers again and again.

They have done nothing about labour hire and casualisation, now they have kicked their spokesperson out of Cabinet.

The Liberals and Nationals are more focused on their own power plays than the critical needs of the resources industry.

Yet again they’ve proven they care more about their own jobs than mining jobs.