"The GBRMPA Board oversees one of the world's most precious and delicate natural places. Board members should be people with expertise in marine conservation, not involved in the coal and gas industries. 

"It is a matter of public record that Tony Mooney and John Grayson have financial links to coal and gas companies that could benefit from developments that may harm the reef.

"If this does not constitute a conflict of interest it would be interesting to know what does. 

Greenpeace Australia Pacific is tonight calling on the Environment Minister Mr Greg Hunt to release the full report of the inquiry. 

"Mr Hunt should release the full Report so the public can judge for themselves whether these men are the type of people we want in charge of the Reef.

"Failing to release the full report to allow close scrutiny of the evidence gathered by the Inquiry head Mr Robert Cornall suggests Minister Hunt is keen to sweep what was uncovered by ABC TV 7.30 Report under the carpet."

Contact: Alison Orme 0432 332 104

Speaking alongside his wife Chrissie and daughter Maddie, Colin thanked Australians for their support.

"I'd really like to thank Australia for backing me, looking after my family, mowing my lawns, walking my dog," he explained.

But while the Australian Government "could have done more," Consular Officials were "gems."

"They kept me well informed and kept me supplied with raisins, dried fruits and books," he said.

Chrissie Russell also reserved special mention for the 'amazing' community of Woodbridge in Tasmania which has rallied around her family during the past three months.

Discussing conditions in Russian prison, Colin explained that he had "lost a few kilos," but it had given him ample time "thinking about friends, thinking about the campaign, thinking about the Arctic, thinking about the world."

Reflecting on future prospects Colin stated:

"I've been doing it for 14 years, so I'm not going to stop what I know best. No regrets... I'm trying to give a future to our kids and our grandkids. We all need to stand together for that."

"It's going to be an oil rush in the Arctic, I think it's crazy, the known reserves we have now are enough to throw us over two degrees."

Colin has also expressed concern over the fate of the Greenpeace vessel, the Arctic Sunrise.

"I'm still worried about our ship, the Arctic Sunrise, which remains under Russian control in defiance of international law," he said. "I feel it is not over till the Arctic Sunrise is also released.”

The Arctic 30 were seized by armed commandos in international waters on September 19 after attempting to attach a banner to an Arctic oil platform operated by Gazprom. They were granted amnesty by the Duma (Russian parliament) following a global campaign to free them. They were unable to leave Russia until the authorities gave them the correct exit visas in their passports.

PLEASE NOTE: Colin Russell, his wife Chrissie and daughter Madeliene would like to thank the Australian media for their support during his time of illegal imprisonment in Russia and is looking forward to resuming his private life in Tasmania. He requests that media do not seek to contact him or his family directly and instead contact Greenpeace. He will not be immediately available for interview.

Contact:

James Lorenz Greenpeace Communications Manager: +61 (0) 400 376 021.

Greenpeace Press Desk: +61 (0) 418 408 683

Greenpeace International picture desk: +31 20 718 24 71

Greenpeace International video desk: +31 20 718 24 72

This follows BHP Billiton’s decision in November last year to withdraw their proposal to build the Terminal 2 project at Abbot Point and surrender their development rights, ruling out greenfield coal infrastructure developments in a slumping coal market.

In 2012 Rio Tinto cited ‘economic uncertainty’ for shelving plans for its port development at Fitzroy Delta in Central Queensland.
 
This means the only companies still pursuing coal terminal developments at Abbot Point are Indian giants Adani (Terminal-Zero) and GVK (Terminal 1) in partnership with Hancock Coal Infrastructure. The health of their financial projects has been assessed as poor.
 
Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Campaigner Louise Matthiesson said, “Proponents of coal terminal expansion at Abbot Point are increasingly recognising the environmental, reputational, material and financial risks of developing these damaging projects, acknowledging there is no business case to proceed, and pulling out.
 
A 2013 report by the US Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) found that Adani’s Carmichael coalmine, rail and terminal project in Queensland is “uncommercial”. Similarly, another IEEFA report in 2013 examined GVK’s $10bn Alpha coalmine, rail and terminal project, finding it was “uneconomic” and a “quagmire not an investment”, and warning that “no investor should take part”.
 
When questioned during today’s half yearly investor briefing, Lend Lease CEO Mr Steve McCann confirmed that following an internal review Lend Lease has allowed their partnership with Aurizon on the project to lapse, and were “therefore no longer involved in the AP-X project at Abbot Point.”

Greenpeace has calculated that the AP-X development would require up to 13 million cubic metres of dredging in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, on top of the 3 million cubic metres of dredging already approved for the GVK and Adani projects.  The Lend Lease-Aurizon partnership ‘North-Hub’ was shortlisted to develop the huge new coal terminal in April 2013 by the Queensland Government.

The development of AP-X would require several million tonnes of seabed dredging and dumping in Reef waters. It would lead to thousands of additional ship movements each year, risking damage to the Reef, its coral and wildlife. The expansion of Abbot Point would enable the escalation of coal mining in the Galilee and Bowen Basins in central Queensland.

Greenpeace congratulates the Australian Youth Climate Coalition for their work in pressuring Lend Lease to withdraw from the AP-X development due to its potential impacts on the world’s climate and the Great Barrier Reef.

Further information: Louise Matthiesson Greenpeace Australia Pacific 0406 041 428

“This challenge shows the community will not stand by and watch while this dredging and dumping operation damages the values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area,” said Greenpeace Campaigner Louise Matthiesson.

“In order to export coal from planned new mega-mines in the Galilee Basin, Indian coal giants Adani and GVK must build new coal terminals at Abbot Point and dredge 3 million cubic metres of seabed, with the dredge spoil dumped in the ocean within the Reef Marine Park.”

“These projects will have destructive effects from pit-to-port, draining water supplies, clearing native bushland, spreading toxic coal dust, damaging the Great Barrier Reef and resulting in more greenhouse gas emissions than many small countries.”

Greenpeace applauds the North Queensland Conservation Council for taking this step, and the thousands of people from around Australia and the world who have donated to a legal fighting fund to make the challenge possible.

“The proposal to dredge and dump in the Reef World Heritage Area have caused a public outcry in Australia, and caught the attention of concerned people internationally.”

“The World Heritage Committee will be meeting in Qatar in June to consider a possible ‘in-danger’ listing for the Great Barrier Reef, and this will add to their concern about the Australian Government’s failure to enforce adequate safeguards to protect the natural icon.”

“This court challenge is another nail in the coffin for Adani and GVK’s Galilee Basin projects, which are already un-financial given the low world coal price,” she concluded.

For more information contact: Louise Matthiesson, Queensland Campaigner, Greenpeace Australia Pacific. Ph: +61 406 041 428

For the last few months, hundreds of farmers, Traditional Owners, locals and activists from all over Australia have been blockading the site and slowing down Whitehaven’s efforts to build the mine. Now, a day before Federal Parliament resumes and legislation is tabled to abolish Australia’s modest carbon price, the CEOs of these groups are at the Maules Creek site to demonstrate the support of their organisations.

“By approving this mine and abolishing climate legislation, the Federal Government has confirmed they have no intention of dealing with climate change – our greatest threat,” said David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific. “So we are going to tackle the problem at the source by directly challenging Maules Creek – the largest coal mine currently under construction in Australia."

A helicopter has been made available today to journalists to fly over and verify claims that environmentalists say could bring down this mining project.

“Whitehaven Coal is out of time, out of luck and out of suitable offsets to mitigate destruction of an iconic, sensitive natural area of NSW under significant threat from coal mining,” said Pepe Clarke, CEO of the Nature Conservation Council.

"The approval of the controversial Maules Creek coal mine is in tatters and urgent intervention is required by the Federal Environment Minister," said Phil Laird, Lock the Gate campaigner and fifth generation local farmer.

“Today’s findings will be a shot in the arm for ordinary Australians pledging to take non-violent direct action against the expansion of the coal industry on 350.org’s Summer Heat website,” said 350.org CEO Blair Palese.

“Whitehaven plans to mine a new coal deposit that will be responsible for emitting more than twice the carbon pollution that Greg Hunt’s entire Direct Action Plan might save between 2014 and 2020,” said Greenpeace CEO, David Ritter. “This is why we’re collaborating with this growing movement to deliver our own brand of direct action to oppose this mine.”

A chartered helicopter is also being used to gather evidence required in order to force the federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt, to make an urgent decision under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. An urgent protection order requested by Gomeroi Traditional Custodians, has so far been in limbo for 90 days.

For further information, call Julie Macken on 0400 925 217

Fourteen of the Arctic 30 were given exit stamps in their passports on Boxing Day, the rest will be given their stamps today. The non-Russians will all leave the country in the coming days, many of them as early as today. They will soon be back with their families. Australian Colin Russell will be among the departures and is expected home in Tasmania by 31 December.

"It's wonderful news that Colin will most likely see in the new year at his house in Woodbridge," said Greenpeace Communications Manager James Lorenz. "He has been incredibly strong throughout, never losing his sense of humour, but this final step is undoubtedly a huge relief. It has been a long three months for him and his family and I know he is desperate to get home."

Before taking his seat on the train on the train to Finland, Dima said:

“I’ve never regretted what we did, not once, not in prison and definitely not now. Sometimes you just have to stand up and ask to be counted, and that’s what we did in the Arctic. They didn’t throw us in jail for what we did, they locked us up because of what we stood for. The Arctic oil companies are scared of dissent, and they should be. They may have celebrated when our ship was seized, but our imprisonment has been a disaster for them. The movement to save the Arctic is marching now. Our freedom is the start of something, not the end. This is only the beginning.”

He added:

“We’ve been blessed with support from so many people, and I want to thank everybody who took time to help us, and that includes people in the remarkable beautiful country where I have been held these past months. Now I’m going home to my bed, my wife, my kids and my life. I’m leaving Russia feeling like we won something here. But while the campaign to free us can claim victory, the campaign to save the Arctic can’t, not yet. The oil companies are moving north, the world’s climate is changing, the biggest struggles still lie ahead of us.”

Dima is the fourth generation of his family to be imprisoned for political activity. His great-grandfather Maxim Litvinov opposed Tsar Nichols II before being made Soviet foreign minister. His grandfather Lev Kopelev was imprisoned by Stalin for 10 years for opposing the regime and speaking out against Soviet atrocities against German civilians in World War Two. Lev was imprisoned with his friend Alexander Solzhenitsyn and was the inspiration for the main character in Solzhenitsyn’s novel First Circle.

In 1968 Dima’s father Pavel Litvinov was one of seven people who protested against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in Red Square, an act of defiance for which he was sentenced to internal exile in Siberia when Dima was 6. The family left Russia when he was 11.

 “I’m leaving Russia again, and like that day 39 years ago I don’t know if I will ever be able to return,” said Dima.

The Arctic 30 were seized by armed commandos in international waters on September 19 after attempting to attach a banner to an Arctic oil platform operated by Gazprom. They were granted amnesty by the Duma (Russian parliament) following a global campaign to free them. They were unable to leave Russia until the authorities gave them the correct exit visas in their passports.

“I’m happy this is finally over. So are the girls," said Colin. "Can’t wait to get back to normal: throw the stick for George the dog, mow the lawn, sleep on my own pillow. My whole life is waiting for me.”

Colin Russell is due to return to Hobart and his home on 2 January, with the departure marking the end of more than 100 days on Russian soil.

As of 3am EST, 15 of the Arctic 30 had departed Russia, with 11 more to exit over the coming days.

"There is a great sense of relief," said Greenpeace Communications Manager James Lorenz. "But this relief is coupled with the knowledge that the Arctic is still under threat from reckless oil drilling and that the campaign must continue. However, right now, we're just delighted that Colin and the rest of the Arctic 30 are finally on their way home."

The Arctic 30 were seized by armed commandos in international waters on September 19 after attempting to attach a banner to an Arctic oil platform operated by Gazprom. They were granted amnesty by the Duma (Russian parliament) following a global campaign to free them. They were unable to leave Russia until the authorities gave them the correct exit visas in their passports.

With the Royal Botanic Gardens having confirmed the identity of one of these species, Greenpeace is calling on Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt to stop Whitehaven’s bulldozers until an investigation is carried out.

“We are revealing new evidence that the approval for Whitehaven to turn the Leard State Forest into a coal mine was and is totally inadequate and that the company’s off-set strategy is a lie,” said Greenpeace Campaigner Nic Clyde. “It’s time for Environment Minister Greg Hunt to step in, do his job and call a halt to the bulldozers before it’s too late.”

On the request of the previous Environment Minister, Whitehaven were required to commission an independent report into the ‘quantity and quality’ of biodiversity on land bought by the company in order to ‘offset’ destruction of the Leard State Forest.  Despite preparing the report and submitting it to Greg Hunt’s department, Whitehaven continue to refuse to release the findings publicly.

“Whitehaven Coal is bulldozing nationally significant biodiversity, in some of Australia’s rarest woodlands, destruction they have failed to ‘offset’,” said ecologist, Phil Spark. “They are determined to hide the evidence and trash this forest before the truth is revealed. We cannot allow this to happen.”

Today’s action comes less than a week after a prominent ecologist released a report providing further evidence the mine’s approval is based on false information. (1) A research briefing summarising the issues and controversy surrounding the Biodiversity Offset Strategy for Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek mine is available here. (2)

John Hunter – a leading expert on the vegetation of the Liverpool Plains – has found that 95 per cent of the White Box critically endangered ecological community (CEEC) that Whitehaven has claimed as an offset in order to get their approval past the regulators, does not exist in the area independently surveyed. There is only 0.1 per cent of this vegetation type left in Australia.

“With an independent review the company does not want to release, the world’s slowest departmental investigation, and an expert’s report finding a 95 per cent error rate in the crucial biodiversity offsets that got this mine approved, Greg Hunt must revoke Whitehaven’s approval,” concluded Clyde

Greenpeace calls on Minister Hunt to:

1. Release - as a matter of priority - the Independent Review required under Condition 10 of the Maules Creek Mine approval
2. Indicate what he intends to do in relation to the compelling and building independent expert evidence about the inadequacies of the offsets proposal and the likelihood that the offset conditions of the Maules Creek mine approval are not being met
3. Require Whitehaven Coal to immediately stop any works that would destroy the specimens of Tylophora linearis until an impacts assessment has been submitted to him and appropriate protections have been put in place
4. Require Whitehaven Coal to undertake a thorough assessment of Tylophora linearis and the Large-eared Pied Bat over the Maules Creek mine site and report to him so that he can satisfy his obligations under the EPBC Act and the approval as stipulated in conditions 32 and 37 of the approval.

Photos and video will be made available later in the day.

NOTES:
1.  http://www.scribd.com/doc/207517928/John-Hunter-Offset-Assessment-Report-13-Feb-2014-Final
2. www.greenpeace.org/australia/Global/australia/Media/Maules_Creek_Offsets_Brief_040220.pdf

This follows BHP Billiton’s decision in November last year to withdraw their proposal to build the Terminal 2 project at Abbot Point and surrender their development rights, ruling out greenfield coal infrastructure developments in a slumping coal market.

In 2012 Rio Tinto cited ‘economic uncertainty’ for shelving plans for its port development at Fitzroy Delta in Central Queensland.
 
This means the only companies still pursuing coal terminal developments at Abbot Point are Indian giants Adani (Terminal-Zero) and GVK (Terminal 3) in partnership with Hancock Coal Infrastructure. The health of their financial projects has been assessed as poor.
 
Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Campaigner Louise Matthiesson said, “Proponents of coal terminal expansion at Abbot Point are increasingly recognising the environmental, reputational, material and financial risks of developing these damaging projects, acknowledging there is no business case to proceed, and pulling out.
 
A 2013 report by the US Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) found that Adani’s Carmichael coalmine, rail and terminal project in Queensland is “uncommercial”. Similarly, another IEEFA report in 2013 examined GVK’s $10bn Alpha coalmine, rail and terminal project, finding it was “uneconomic” and a “quagmire not an investment”, and warning that “no investor should take part”.
 
When questioned during today’s half yearly investor briefing, Lend Lease CEO Mr Steve McCann confirmed that following an internal review Lend Lease has allowed their partnership with Aurizon on the project to lapse, and were “therefore no longer involved in the AP-X project at Abbot Point.”

Greenpeace has calculated that the AP-X development would require up to 13 million cubic metres of dredging in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, on top of the 3 million cubic metres of dredging already approved for the GVK and Adani projects.  The Lend Lease-Aurizon partnership ‘North-Hub’ was shortlisted to develop the huge new coal terminal in April 2013 by the Queensland Government.

The development of AP-X would require several million tonnes of seabed dredging and dumping in Reef waters. It would lead to thousands of additional ship movements each year, risking damage to the Reef, its coral and wildlife. The expansion of Abbot Point would enable the escalation of coal mining in the Galilee and Bowen Basins in central Queensland.

Greenpeace congratulates the Australian Youth Climate Coalition for their work in pressuring Lend Lease to withdraw from the AP-X development due to its potential impacts on the world’s climate and the Great Barrier Reef.

Further information: Louise Matthiesson Greenpeace Australia Pacific 0406 041 428

The Boomerang Alliance is also encouraging people to take a #trashyselfie as part of the campaign to pressure State governments to get on board.

Mr Ian Kiernan AO, Chairman of Clean Up Australia said, “For the first time ever beverage containers have outstripped cigarette butts as the top rubbish item nationally, making up 36 per cent of all rubbish.[1]

“Polling shows 84 per cent of Australians are thirsty for a national Cash for Containers scheme but only South Australia and the Northern Territory have them.”

Mr Jeff Angel, Convenor of the Boomerang Alliance said, “There’s significant momentum in support of a 10c Cash for Container recycling scheme in Australia.

“Victorian Premier Denis Napthine has been vocal in support of a Cash for Containers scheme, some NSW Government backbenchers are backing it and Tasmania is investigating its cost-benefits.

“What’s clear is that Cash for Containers works - South Australia recycles its beverage containers at double the national average at 80 per cent.

“Our environment and our economy will reap the benefits. Recycling companies have vowed to invest $500 million and create 3,500 new jobs if a national Cash for Containers was introduced.”[2]

The Boomerang Alliance is asking Australians to take a #trashyselfie of themselves holding used bottles and cans as part of Clean Up Australia Day, for a social media campaign aimed at State Premiers. The most compelling #trashyselfies will be used in a targeted advertising campaign. 

Ms Laura Wells, Australia’s leading plus-sized model who has a degree in environmental science and law said, “The number one item tossed away as rubbish is beverage containers which can be recycled.

“Australians litter and throw into landfill the equivalent of around 15,000 bottles and cans every minute – totalling more than 8 billion per year.

“Beverage container recycling schemes, which already exist in South Australia and the Northern Territory, show how simple but effective they are in reducing litter in our parks, oceans and rivers.

“Clean Up Australia Day provides people with a great opportunity to use their #trashyselfie to call on State Premiers to make Cash for Containers a reality across the nation.”

For more information and interviews: Alison Orme Greenpeace Australia Pacific 0432 332 104

Photos: High res photos of environmental scientist and top model Laura Wells holding 10c lying amidst cans and plastic bottles OR her own #trashyselfie available for download here: http://tiny.cc/tzbrbx.

[1] Clean Up Australia 2013 National Rubbish Report: http://www.cleanup.org.au/files/2013-national.pdf
[2] http://www.revive-recycling.com.au/Revive%20Media%20Release%209-4-13.pdf

For the last few months, hundreds of farmers, Traditional Owners, locals and activists from all over Australia have been blockading the site and slowing down Whitehaven’s efforts to build the mine. Now, a day before Federal Parliament resumes and legislation is tabled to abolish Australia’s modest carbon price, the CEOs of these groups are at the Maules Creek site to demonstrate the support of their organisations.

“By approving this mine and abolishing climate legislation, the Federal Government has confirmed they have no intention of dealing with climate change – our greatest threat,” said David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific. “So we are going to tackle the problem at the source by directly challenging Maules Creek – the largest coal mine currently under construction in Australia."

A helicopter has been made available today to journalists to fly over and verify claims that environmentalists say could bring down this mining project.

“Whitehaven Coal is out of time, out of luck and out of suitable offsets to mitigate destruction of an iconic, sensitive natural area of NSW under significant threat from coal mining,” said Pepe Clarke, CEO of the Nature Conservation Council.

"The approval of the controversial Maules Creek coal mine is in tatters and urgent intervention is required by the Federal Environment Minister," said Phil Laird, Lock the Gate campaigner and fifth generation local farmer.

“Today’s findings will be a shot in the arm for ordinary Australians pledging to take non-violent direct action against the expansion of the coal industry on 350.org’s Summer Heat website,” said 350.org CEO Blair Palese.

“Whitehaven plans to mine a new coal deposit that will be responsible for emitting more than twice the carbon pollution that Greg Hunt’s entire Direct Action Plan might save between 2014 and 2020,” said Greenpeace CEO, David Ritter. “This is why we’re collaborating with this growing movement to deliver our own brand of direct action to oppose this mine.”

A chartered helicopter is also being used to gather evidence required in order to force the federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt, to make an urgent decision under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. An urgent protection order requested by Gomeroi Traditional Custodians, has so far been in limbo for 90 days.

For further information, call Julie Macken on 0400 925 217

Detailed media backgrounder with links to documents here. 

“These previously secret documents show the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority repeatedly advised the Environment Department to reject the controversial dredging and dumping proposal because of the current health of the Reef and the long term and irreversible harm it would cause,” said Greenpeace Campaigner Louise Matthiesson. 

“Australians who love the Reef and are appalled by the approvals granted to dredge and dump in its pristine waters will be looking to Minister Hunt to explain how he can justify rejecting this expert advice, which included evidence that his water quality offset plan was ‘unachievable’.” 

The GBRMPA was preparing to refuse permits to dump in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park because it considered the consequences of dredging were unknown and viable alternatives existed to dredging on the proposed scale. It considered the water quality offset plan to be ‘unrealistic’ and ‘unachievable’.  GBRMPA also considered dumping at sea would be inconsistent with Australia’s obligations under international treaties on the prevention of marine pollution. 

In the Executive Summary of GBRMPA’s recommendation to the Environment Department on dredging the Authority noted, “The proposal to dredge and dispose of up to 1.6 million cubic metres of sediment per year … has the potential to cause long-term irreversible harm to areas of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park … in particular seagrass meadows and nearby coral reefs…” 

“The information… provided by the proponent does not adequately address the potential for further impacts to these recovering habitats. The dredge plume modelling provided by the proponent… has been found to be of limited value, deficient and unreliable.” 
Greenpeace  Australia Pacific is calling on the Environment Minister Greg Hunt to revoke the approvals and ban dumping of dredge spoil in Reef waters. 

“These new documents raise very serious concerns about the Federal Government’s stewardship of the Reef,” Ms Louise Matthiesson said. 

“It is clear that Minister Hunt and his Department were willing to put other interests ahead of the health of this World Heritage jewel and Minister Hunt must explain why. 

“The Minister’s attitude is like that of a smoker who has been told by his doctor to stop smoking then goes down to the convenience store to buy a pack of 25s,” Ms Matthiesson said.

The documents released cover up to August 2013. Although this is prior to Minister Hunt’s appointment, the details of the approval he signed off on in December 2013 were very similar to that put forward in July 2013.  Greenpeace is not aware of any significantly material changes to the project proposal during that time or any new scientific evidence which would have justified a major change in GBRMPA’s advice to the Department. 

To arrange interviews: Alison Orme Greenpeace Australia 0432 332 104
Spokesperson: Louise Matthiesson, QLD Campaigner, Greenpeace.  +61 406 041 428, lmatthie@greenpeace.org

Maules Creek is the largest coal mine under construction in Australia. The Galilee mines would be the largest ever built in the country. These – and many more projects – are approved on the proviso that offsets compensate for the damage the developments cause.

The controversy surrounding Whitehaven’s coal mine escalated last month when yet another report was released questioning the integrity of Whitehaven’s proposed offsets. Ecolorist John Hunter found land purchased by Whitehaven to replace Whitebox gum at its Maules Creek site in NSW's Leard Forest contained little of the endangered ecological community. Only about five per cent of the sites surveyed “was likely to fulfil the criteria of the critically endangered ecological community determination", said Dr. Hunter in a report commissioned by the Northern Inland Council for Environment.

“In the case of Whitehaven’s Maules Creek mine, the company is on the verge of wiping out swathes of rare and precious forest, and offsetting it with clapped out and cleared country that has next to nothing of the ecological value of the Leard State Forest,” said Ben Pearson, Head of Program at Greenpeace.

Phil Spark, an independent ecologist who has mapped both the endangered ecological community in the Leard state Forest and the alleged offsets said, “Comparing the offset properties purchased by Whitehaven Coal to the endangered ecological community in the Leard State Forest is like comparing a car park to forest – they have next to nothing in common. I really welcome the Senate Inquiry for shining a light on this murky business.”

“At Abbot Point, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority was scathing about the validity of the offsets,” said Pearson. “Yet somehow these were still used in justification for approving new coal terminals in one of the most precious places on the planet. Quite simply, the vast majority of offsets are thinly veiled attempts to justify the unjustifiable,” concluded Pearson.

For further information contact
Ben Pearson 0424 575 1110424 575 111
Julie Macken 0400 925 2170400 925 217
Phil Spark 0427 642 2450427 642 245

The current federal legislation banning super trawlers ends in November 2014.

"The Prime Minister has signalled he is willing to erect what's effectively a child gate against one super trawler. We need something far more significant that ensures we never see super trawlers in our waters again," said Nathaniel Pelle, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Oceans Campaigner.

"Tony Abbott's statement that the Margiris "will stay banned" is a good indication that monster ships like this are repellent to the Australian people and bad news for Australian fishing."

"The Prime Minister should table legislation immediately to place a permanent ban on these ocean vacuum cleaners. Many others could be lining up to take the Margiris’ place come November."

Greenpeace spotted a vessel five times the size of the Margiris off the coasts of Norfolk Island only a fortnight ago, raising the alarm of Australian and New Zealand officials.

Contact: Greenpeace Media Alison Orme 0432 332 104 Oceans Campaigner Nat Pelle 0402 856 063

Fourteen of the Arctic 30 were given exit stamps in their passports on Boxing Day, the rest will be given their stamps today. The non-Russians will all leave the country in the coming days, many of them as early as today. They will soon be back with their families. Australian Colin Russell will be among the departures and is expected home in Tasmania by 31 December.

"It's wonderful news that Colin will most likely see in the new year at his house in Woodbridge," said Greenpeace Communications Manager James Lorenz. "He has been incredibly strong throughout, never losing his sense of humour, but this final step is undoubtedly a huge relief. It has been a long three months for him and his family and I know he is desperate to get home."

Before taking his seat on the train on the train to Finland, Dima said:

“I’ve never regretted what we did, not once, not in prison and definitely not now. Sometimes you just have to stand up and ask to be counted, and that’s what we did in the Arctic. They didn’t throw us in jail for what we did, they locked us up because of what we stood for. The Arctic oil companies are scared of dissent, and they should be. They may have celebrated when our ship was seized, but our imprisonment has been a disaster for them. The movement to save the Arctic is marching now. Our freedom is the start of something, not the end. This is only the beginning.”

He added:

“We’ve been blessed with support from so many people, and I want to thank everybody who took time to help us, and that includes people in the remarkable beautiful country where I have been held these past months. Now I’m going home to my bed, my wife, my kids and my life. I’m leaving Russia feeling like we won something here. But while the campaign to free us can claim victory, the campaign to save the Arctic can’t, not yet. The oil companies are moving north, the world’s climate is changing, the biggest struggles still lie ahead of us.”

Dima is the fourth generation of his family to be imprisoned for political activity. His great-grandfather Maxim Litvinov opposed Tsar Nichols II before being made Soviet foreign minister. His grandfather Lev Kopelev was imprisoned by Stalin for 10 years for opposing the regime and speaking out against Soviet atrocities against German civilians in World War Two. Lev was imprisoned with his friend Alexander Solzhenitsyn and was the inspiration for the main character in Solzhenitsyn’s novel First Circle.

In 1968 Dima’s father Pavel Litvinov was one of seven people who protested against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in Red Square, an act of defiance for which he was sentenced to internal exile in Siberia when Dima was 6. The family left Russia when he was 11.

 “I’m leaving Russia again, and like that day 39 years ago I don’t know if I will ever be able to return,” said Dima.

The Arctic 30 were seized by armed commandos in international waters on September 19 after attempting to attach a banner to an Arctic oil platform operated by Gazprom. They were granted amnesty by the Duma (Russian parliament) following a global campaign to free them. They were unable to leave Russia until the authorities gave them the correct exit visas in their passports.

“I’m happy this is finally over. So are the girls," said Colin. "Can’t wait to get back to normal: throw the stick for George the dog, mow the lawn, sleep on my own pillow. My whole life is waiting for me.”

Colin Russell is due to return to Hobart and his home on 2 January, with the departure marking the end of more than 100 days on Russian soil.

As of 3am EST, 15 of the Arctic 30 had departed Russia, with 11 more to exit over the coming days.

"There is a great sense of relief," said Greenpeace Communications Manager James Lorenz. "But this relief is coupled with the knowledge that the Arctic is still under threat from reckless oil drilling and that the campaign must continue. However, right now, we're just delighted that Colin and the rest of the Arctic 30 are finally on their way home."

The Arctic 30 were seized by armed commandos in international waters on September 19 after attempting to attach a banner to an Arctic oil platform operated by Gazprom. They were granted amnesty by the Duma (Russian parliament) following a global campaign to free them. They were unable to leave Russia until the authorities gave them the correct exit visas in their passports.

With the Royal Botanic Gardens having confirmed the identity of one of these species, Greenpeace is calling on Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt to stop Whitehaven’s bulldozers until an investigation is carried out.

“We are revealing new evidence that the approval for Whitehaven to turn the Leard State Forest into a coal mine was and is totally inadequate and that the company’s off-set strategy is a lie,” said Greenpeace Campaigner Nic Clyde. “It’s time for Environment Minister Greg Hunt to step in, do his job and call a halt to the bulldozers before it’s too late.”

On the request of the previous Environment Minister, Whitehaven were required to commission an independent report into the ‘quantity and quality’ of biodiversity on land bought by the company in order to ‘offset’ destruction of the Leard State Forest.  Despite preparing the report and submitting it to Greg Hunt’s department, Whitehaven continue to refuse to release the findings publicly.

“Whitehaven Coal is bulldozing nationally significant biodiversity, in some of Australia’s rarest woodlands, destruction they have failed to ‘offset’,” said ecologist, Phil Spark. “They are determined to hide the evidence and trash this forest before the truth is revealed. We cannot allow this to happen.”

Today’s action comes less than a week after a prominent ecologist released a report providing further evidence the mine’s approval is based on false information. (1) A research briefing summarising the issues and controversy surrounding the Biodiversity Offset Strategy for Whitehaven Coal’s Maules Creek mine is available here. (2)

John Hunter – a leading expert on the vegetation of the Liverpool Plains – has found that 95 per cent of the White Box critically endangered ecological community (CEEC) that Whitehaven has claimed as an offset in order to get their approval past the regulators, does not exist in the area independently surveyed. There is only 0.1 per cent of this vegetation type left in Australia.

“With an independent review the company does not want to release, the world’s slowest departmental investigation, and an expert’s report finding a 95 per cent error rate in the crucial biodiversity offsets that got this mine approved, Greg Hunt must revoke Whitehaven’s approval,” concluded Clyde

Greenpeace calls on Minister Hunt to:

1. Release - as a matter of priority - the Independent Review required under Condition 10 of the Maules Creek Mine approval
2. Indicate what he intends to do in relation to the compelling and building independent expert evidence about the inadequacies of the offsets proposal and the likelihood that the offset conditions of the Maules Creek mine approval are not being met
3. Require Whitehaven Coal to immediately stop any works that would destroy the specimens of Tylophora linearis until an impacts assessment has been submitted to him and appropriate protections have been put in place
4. Require Whitehaven Coal to undertake a thorough assessment of Tylophora linearis and the Large-eared Pied Bat over the Maules Creek mine site and report to him so that he can satisfy his obligations under the EPBC Act and the approval as stipulated in conditions 32 and 37 of the approval.

Photos and video will be made available later in the day.

NOTES:
1.  http://www.scribd.com/doc/207517928/John-Hunter-Offset-Assessment-Report-13-Feb-2014-Final
2. www.greenpeace.org/australia/Global/australia/Media/Maules_Creek_Offsets_Brief_040220.pdf

This follows BHP Billiton’s decision in November last year to withdraw their proposal to build the Terminal 2 project at Abbot Point and surrender their development rights, ruling out greenfield coal infrastructure developments in a slumping coal market.

In 2012 Rio Tinto cited ‘economic uncertainty’ for shelving plans for its port development at Fitzroy Delta in Central Queensland.
 
This means the only companies still pursuing coal terminal developments at Abbot Point are Indian giants Adani (Terminal-Zero) and GVK (Terminal 3) in partnership with Hancock Coal Infrastructure. The health of their financial projects has been assessed as poor.
 
Greenpeace Australia Pacific Senior Campaigner Louise Matthiesson said, “Proponents of coal terminal expansion at Abbot Point are increasingly recognising the environmental, reputational, material and financial risks of developing these damaging projects, acknowledging there is no business case to proceed, and pulling out.
 
A 2013 report by the US Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) found that Adani’s Carmichael coalmine, rail and terminal project in Queensland is “uncommercial”. Similarly, another IEEFA report in 2013 examined GVK’s $10bn Alpha coalmine, rail and terminal project, finding it was “uneconomic” and a “quagmire not an investment”, and warning that “no investor should take part”.
 
When questioned during today’s half yearly investor briefing, Lend Lease CEO Mr Steve McCann confirmed that following an internal review Lend Lease has allowed their partnership with Aurizon on the project to lapse, and were “therefore no longer involved in the AP-X project at Abbot Point.”

Greenpeace has calculated that the AP-X development would require up to 13 million cubic metres of dredging in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, on top of the 3 million cubic metres of dredging already approved for the GVK and Adani projects.  The Lend Lease-Aurizon partnership ‘North-Hub’ was shortlisted to develop the huge new coal terminal in April 2013 by the Queensland Government.

The development of AP-X would require several million tonnes of seabed dredging and dumping in Reef waters. It would lead to thousands of additional ship movements each year, risking damage to the Reef, its coral and wildlife. The expansion of Abbot Point would enable the escalation of coal mining in the Galilee and Bowen Basins in central Queensland.

Greenpeace congratulates the Australian Youth Climate Coalition for their work in pressuring Lend Lease to withdraw from the AP-X development due to its potential impacts on the world’s climate and the Great Barrier Reef.

Further information: Louise Matthiesson Greenpeace Australia Pacific 0406 041 428

The Boomerang Alliance is also encouraging people to take a #trashyselfie as part of the campaign to pressure State governments to get on board.

Mr Ian Kiernan AO, Chairman of Clean Up Australia said, “For the first time ever beverage containers have outstripped cigarette butts as the top rubbish item nationally, making up 36 per cent of all rubbish.[1]

“Polling shows 84 per cent of Australians are thirsty for a national Cash for Containers scheme but only South Australia and the Northern Territory have them.”

Mr Jeff Angel, Convenor of the Boomerang Alliance said, “There’s significant momentum in support of a 10c Cash for Container recycling scheme in Australia.

“Victorian Premier Denis Napthine has been vocal in support of a Cash for Containers scheme, some NSW Government backbenchers are backing it and Tasmania is investigating its cost-benefits.

“What’s clear is that Cash for Containers works - South Australia recycles its beverage containers at double the national average at 80 per cent.

“Our environment and our economy will reap the benefits. Recycling companies have vowed to invest $500 million and create 3,500 new jobs if a national Cash for Containers was introduced.”[2]

The Boomerang Alliance is asking Australians to take a #trashyselfie of themselves holding used bottles and cans as part of Clean Up Australia Day, for a social media campaign aimed at State Premiers. The most compelling #trashyselfies will be used in a targeted advertising campaign. 

Ms Laura Wells, Australia’s leading plus-sized model who has a degree in environmental science and law said, “The number one item tossed away as rubbish is beverage containers which can be recycled.

“Australians litter and throw into landfill the equivalent of around 15,000 bottles and cans every minute – totalling more than 8 billion per year.

“Beverage container recycling schemes, which already exist in South Australia and the Northern Territory, show how simple but effective they are in reducing litter in our parks, oceans and rivers.

“Clean Up Australia Day provides people with a great opportunity to use their #trashyselfie to call on State Premiers to make Cash for Containers a reality across the nation.”

For more information and interviews: Alison Orme Greenpeace Australia Pacific 0432 332 104

Photos: High res photos of environmental scientist and top model Laura Wells holding 10c lying amidst cans and plastic bottles OR her own #trashyselfie available for download here: http://tiny.cc/tzbrbx.

[1] Clean Up Australia 2013 National Rubbish Report: http://www.cleanup.org.au/files/2013-national.pdf
[2] http://www.revive-recycling.com.au/Revive%20Media%20Release%209-4-13.pdf

“Greenpeace calls for Galilee Basin halt until threat to rare birds is assessed,” The Guardian Australia today.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific's investigations show Adani has ignored its legal obligation under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to apply for an approval to undertake seismic testing in prime habitat for the Black-Throated Finch (Southern) which is listed as endangered.

Adani Mining Pty Ltd, the proponent behind the Carmichael mine which will be the biggest black coal mine in Australia, has an embarrassing record both in India and Australia of violating environmental conditions, illegal activity and destroying natural places.

Louise Matthiesson Greenpeace Australia Pacific Climate Campaigner said, “The tiny finch is the canary in our coal mine. The Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt can make sure Adani complies with all Australian environmental laws, or he can turn a blind eye to their plans to damage one of the last strongholds for this endangered bird.

“Greenpeace has expert scientific advice that the exploration work has the potential to have a significant impact on the finch, which has already disappeared from 80 per cent of its natural range.”

“It would be madness to push an endangered Australian bird further towards extinction for the sake of an Indian owned coal mine which may never go ahead.

“Adani’s poor environmental record, coupled with recent analysis showing that the mining project is uncommercial, strengthens the case for postponing seismic testing at the Carmichael coal mine site until a proper assessment of its impact on this endangered bird.

“The Minster for the Environment Greg Hunt should press the pause button on seismic testing and direct his Department conduct a vigorous study interrogating what impact testing will have on the bird’s habitat and conservation efforts,” Ms Matthiesson said.

The seismic surveys at the Carmichael mine site are likely to involve slashing undergrowth vegetation and removing trees under 30cm diameter, along strips 4.5m wide, across a total of 3899 hectares of important Black Throated Finch habitat.

Under the EPBC Act, companies have a legal obligation to refer any activity that could have a significant impact on an endangered species to the Environment Department for assessment.

Greenpeace asked Minister Hunt to use his power under s70 of EPBC Act to call in the project for urgent assessment and his Department is examining the issue. The environmental organisation has legal advice that if Adani proceeds with seismic survey work at the mine site, without referring the matter for assessment, an offence may be committed under s18 of the EPBC Act.

The Carmichael project will produce export coal aimed predominantly at the Indian market. The mine would be linked to the coast by a new railway line, crossing farmland and floodplains. The development is the driver behind Minister Hunt’s approval in December 2013 of the highly contentious ‘Terminal Zero’ port development at Abbot Point. The expansion of Abbot point will involve the dredging and dumping of 3-million cubic metres of seabed in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Huge coal stockpiles and machinery will be wedged between the delicate Caley Valley wetlands and a turtle-nesting beach, less than 100m away.

High quality photos of the finch available on request.

For more information: Alison Orme Greenpeace Media and Communications 0432 332 104

For interview: Louise Matthiesson Greenpeace Campaigner 0406 041 428

Research Briefing: Impacts of the proposed Carmichael Coal Mine Project on the Black-Throated Finch (Southern)