The move would hurt local jobs in Gladstone, MUA assistant national secretary Ian Bray said.

“Selling off a profit-generating asset like Gladstone Port — which is owned by the people of Queensland — is not a sustainable way for Campbell Newman to get his government’s debt under control,” he said.

In March, Newman was reported to have told a Gladstone audience that he was personally opposed to selling Gladstone Port, Bray said.

MUA Queensland branch secretary Mick Carr said the MUA had 300 members in Gladstone that were worried about their jobs.

“The port is the economic centre of Gladstone and it’s a real concern that the Newman government is selling off a valuable public asset that supports the local economy,” he said.

The government has announced it is prepared to commit $4 million over the next two years towards the Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership, providing industry matches its contribution.

The proposed government commitment involves $1m in set-up costs and then $1.5m a year, over two years ($3m in total) towards its operation.

The entire funding commitment is reliant on industry matching the $1.5m per year in recurrent funding.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said the establishment of the partnership would honour a commitment made by Premier Campbell Newman last year.

“The Newman government is prepared to commit $4 million over two years, providing Gladstone's corporate sector matches the recurrent funding,” Seeney said.

“We are ready to put up our money, but expect industry to pull its weight so this partnership can ensure the ongoing monitoring and improvement of the harbour and surrounding catchments.

“All of Queensland knows Gladstone is the engine room for the state.

“It is one of Australia’s busiest ports and will only grow in importance with the emergence of the state’s LNG industry in the coming years, but this commercial activity cannot be undertaken at any price.

“We need to ensure the port’s development proceeds in a sustainable way and that community, recreation, fishing and tourism aspects of Gladstone and the state are also taken into account.”

Environment Minister Andrew Powell said he was pleased to attend the third meeting of the Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership.

“The partnership brings together a diverse range of organisations which are all working together to ensure the harbour’s environment is protected, while also supporting the growth of this major port,” Powell said.