Greenpeace Australia Pacific press release

Amsterdam/Sydney 10 August 2014 - The Greenpeace icebreaker Arctic Sunrise yesterday sailed back into Dutch territorial waters after over 300 days in Russian custody. The ship had been held illegally since taking part in a peaceful direct action against state owned oil company Gazprom, as it tried to drill the world’s first oil well in icy Arctic waters.

Several members of the so called ‘Arctic 30’, who spent two months in Russian prison last year on piracy and then hooliganism charges following the protest, were there to greet the ship and boarded the vessel in Beverwijk, near Amsterdam, including Australian Colin Russell and Sydney permanent resident Alexandra Harris.

Tasmanian Arctic30 member Colin Russell, who will assist in repairing the Arctic Sunrise and crew on its next campaign voyage said, "You cannot break or take the tenacious spirit of the Arctic Sunrise. We will fix up all the damage, replace the equipment and the Arctic Sunrise will bounce back into her role as the campaigning legend she is. The only way to be confident that we can actually maintain an existence here on earth next century is to err on the side of caution and take the action needed now so that we are not scrambling to save ourselves later on."

27 year old Australian resident Alexandra Harris, who works at Greenpeace Australia Pacific said, "The Arctic Sunrise is our only icebreaker. She makes it possible for us to campaign in the icy seas and expose environmental crime in the Arctic. But to me, she is way more than a campaign tool - she's a ship that carries hope for a better future and protection of the Arctic against oil drilling."

Dutch climate and energy campaigner and Arctic 30 member Faiza Oulahsen said, "This is a joyous day for me, for my friends and for the millions of people around the world who campaigned for the release of the Arctic 30 and the Arctic Sunrise”, says

“The companies and governments who seek to exploit this vulnerable region for profit have tried to silence the growing call to protect the Arctic for future generations. But they have not succeeded. And they will not. The Arctic Sunrise will sail again. By now more than 5 million people worldwide have spoken out for Arctic protection.”

Oulahsen went on to thank the broad sweep of civil society organizations and individuals who spoke out on behalf of the activists including 11 Nobel peace prize winners, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and a host of senior political figures from across the world.

“We are incredibly grateful for the huge level of support we received, and conscious that many others have not been so lucky. I would like to use this opportunity to support the many other peaceful environmental activists who remain oppressed or imprisoned for their beliefs, both in Russia and around the world.”

The activists saw the ship for the first time since it was seized by Russian security agents on September 19th 2013. The ship will now sail to the harbour of Amsterdam, accompanied by a fleet of Greenpeace supporters in small vessels.

In Amsterdam the Arctic Sunrise will host a humble, but festive homecoming ceremony. On board the ship is a samovar, a traditional Russian tea-pot. The tea-pot, engraved with the words ‘MY Arctic Sunrise - From Russia with love’, will stay on board, as an ongoing symbol of support and care from the Russian Arctic defenders. Once the Arctic Sunrise arrives in Amsterdam, members of the Arctic 30 will drink the ceremonial first cups of tea from the samovar.

In a few days the ship will be moved to a shipyard in Amsterdam for much needed repairs. Even though captain Daniel Rizzotti and his crew have worked hard for several weeks in Murmansk to make the Arctic Sunrise seaworthy again, a lot of work still needs to be done. Within two weeks Greenpeace expects to have a thorough idea of the extent of the damages.

ENDS

For comment please contact: Greenpeace Australia Pacific Ben Pearson 0424 575 111 or James Lorenz 0400 376 021. Colin Russell and Alexandra Harris are available for extended interviews. Photos and video available of return.

With NSW’s commitment to a 10c Cash for Containers recycling scheme set to be decided within a matter of days, and all Environment Ministers due to meet to discuss it in April, local residents and campaigners will use the opportunity of the Casula Community Cabinet today to ask O’Farrell to join the Victorian Premier and back the scheme.

WHERE: Bella Fonte Events Centre, Comfort Inn Hunts Liverpool, 8 York Street Casula.

WHEN: Monday 7 April. Protest at 6pm outside Events Centre, then from 6.30pm inside the public meeting locals concerned about plastic litter will question the NSW Premier.

PHOTO OP: Locals and campaigners will gather outside the event, some dressed in It Makes Cents! T-shirts and others in bottle suits with signs, gathering support from MPs and the public. There will be a giant oversized Coke Bottle and big mock 10c pieces.

• Within the month it will become clear if Victoria and NSW are committed to implementing a 10 cents cash for containers beverage recycling scheme, joining SA and the NT. The Victorian Premier Denis Napthine has publicly backed the move, calling on the NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell to join him. A commitment from both VIC and NSW will make a national scheme likely.

• While the Victorian Premier clearly supports the scheme, he says it will work best if NSW signs on. The NSW Premier’s views are less apparent, although his Environment Minister Robyn Parker has not ruled it out. Various NSW government backbenchers publicly back the scheme (eg Coogee Liberal MP Bruce Notley-Smith).

• While 84 per cent of the public supports the scheme, the beverage industry and the Australian Food and Grocery Council continues to lobby against it.

Convenor of the Boomerang Alliance Mr Jeff Angel said, “It would make no sense if NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said no to this opportunity to deliver an efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly 10c container deposit scheme to the 84 per cent of Australians who say they want it.

“The top items littered in Australia are drink cans and bottles but they are also the most easily recyclable. South Australian residents, where this scheme has run for 35 years, recycle 80 per cent of their containers - double the national average. A 10cent deposit/refund scheme is more effective and financially sustainable than any industry alternative.”

“The program will save local councils money, create an estimated 3000 jobs in the recycling industry and importantly reduce litter clogging our parks, rivers and oceans,” Mr Angel said.

Local Liverpool Councillor Peter Harle said, "As a long term resident and representative of the community of Liverpool I've seen firsthand the tons of toxic rubbish from drink containers fill up our local catchments that flow into the Georges River. The Liverpool Council has overwhelmingly voted in favour of a container deposit scheme and I'll be urging the State Government to do the right thing by the community and get on with bringing in this policy that is proven to work.”

For further information and to arrange interviews today and at the event:
Alison Orme Media Greenpeace Australia Pacific 0432 332 104
Liverpool Councillor Peter Harle 04 1273 6956

Maules Creek, NSW, Monday 2 June 2014: As tree-climbing activists hinder bulldozing for the fourth day in a row, Greenpeace is calling on the NSW Government to urgently stop forest clearing in the Leard State Forest during the winter hibernating months.

“Just this morning, a new group of tree-climbers entered a different part of the endangered forest to set up a sky-high camp,” said Greenpeace spokesperson Julie Macken.

The new forest rescue team continues the stand-off with Whitehaven Coal after five Greenpeace activists were arrested yesterday and removed from a giant rope web.

“This brings the total number of arrests in ongoing community protests against Whitehaven Coal’s mine to over 160,” said Julie Macken.

A rally outside the ministerial offices of Pru Goward and Rob Stokes – Government Macquarie Tower in Sydney - is planned for Wednesday at midday, as community outrage over winter clearing at a time when native animals are hibernating to make way for a coal mine, boils over.

Greenpeace Senior Campaigner Nic Clyde spoke from his tree-sit, 10 metres off the ground in the Leard State Forest:

“Whitehaven Coal’s bulldozers are destroying the homes of animals while they sleep. Their coal mine at Maules Creek – the largest coal mine currently under construction in Australia – has been given permission to break the most basic of mining rules - stop clearing during the winter months - when many threatened species are hibernating.”

“The state government - Environment Minister, Rob Stokes and Planning Minister Pru Goward - must intervene.”

Some of the hibernating species in the Leard State Forest include:

The feathertail glider, sugar glider and squirrel glider (all hibernating most of winter)

Barking Owl (nesting and listed as ‘vulnerable’ under state law) and Barn Owl (nesting)

Corben's long-eared bat (‘vulnerable’ under federal and state law), the yellow-bellied sheath-tale bat (‘vulnerable’ under state law) and white-striped free-tailed bat and little pied bat (‘vulnerable’ under state law). All the bats are hibernating for most of winter.

Coral snake and spiny tailed gecko (both hibernating)

For interviews with Greenpeace Senior Campaigner from the forest tree-tops:

Contact, Elsa Evers 0438 204 041 or Julie Macken 0400 925 217

Images and video:

http://www.greenpeacemedia.org

Username: photos Password: green

Via FTP (you will need an FTP client such as Filezilla):

Host: greenpeacemedia.org

Username: media

Password: greenpeace

Folder: Maules Creek

Additional images from the Leard Alliance can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/leardstateforest/

On the eve of World Environment Day, a coalition of national environment groups, Labor and Greens MPs and farmers hold snap rally to protest bulldozing of the Leard State Forest by Whitehaven Coal. Private spies have been identified as infiltrating the camp of landowners and environmentalists working to stop the mine.

SPEAKERS: NSW MPs Penny Sharpe (Labor) and Mehreen Faruqui (Greens), local farmers, Greenpeace, GetUp!, Lock the Gate, Nature Conservation Council and Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. The Wilderness Society are supporting the rally.

WHEN: Speakers from Noon, Wednesday 4 June 2014.

WHERE: Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney.

DEMAND: NSW Environment Minister Rob Stokes and Planning Minister Pru Goward should halt clearing and launch an investigation into the impact of Whitehaven Coal’s winter clearance on endangered species.

PHOTO OP: Many 100s of protesters, big banners, placards, speakers, petition handover.

Greenpeace Head of Program Ben Pearson said, “A broad alliance of farmers, religious leaders, politicians and environment groups are calling for a halt to clearing of this forest, with its precious cargo of hibernating threatened species.

“Greenpeace is committed to staying put, in the forest, to frustrate this mega mine and its disastrous legacy for climate change, water and biodiversity.”

Background
• Whitehaven Coal’s mine at Maules Creek is the largest coal mine under construction in Australia. The company has been given permission by the NSW government to break a basic mining rule: no tree clearing during the winter months when many threatened species are hibernating.
• Bulldozing of the threatened forest is underway and Greenpeace activists have been suspended in forest tree tops for over 100 hours.
• Meanwhile, mining company Idemitsu Australia Resources has admitted it contracted two companies to employ spies to infiltrate the Maules Creek camp.

Contact: Greenpeace Media Alison Orme 0432 332 104/ Jessa Latona 0488 208 465. Greenpeace photos of Leard Forest and tree top action available on request.

SYDNEY, 23 JUNE 2014. With Australia’s Renewable Energy Target under review by the Federal Government, Greenpeace Australia Pacific has released a new report which analyses why and how Australia’s biggest three energy retailers - Origin, EnergyAustralia and AGL - are working to undermine the target which threatens the profitability of their coal and gas assets.

Greenpeace’s report comes on the day that legislation to repeal carbon pricing laws is reintroduced into Federal Parliament and on the back of new polling showing that fewer than 1 in 10 Australians support moves to wind back the Renewable Energy Target.

Footage and stills of the Greenpeace’s campaign launch outside of Origin Energy Headquarters in Sydney today are available on request (see below).

KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT, ‘The Dirty Three – Origin Energy, EnergyAustralia and AGL’s Attack on Australia’s Renewable Energy Target’. At a critical time in the development of clean energy in Australia, the big three energy retailers which account for 77 per cent of small electricity customers, have become ‘The Dirty Three’ – expanding investments in coal and gas, undermining the Renewable Energy Target and threatening the future of renewable energy in Australia.

The Dirty Three have invested relatively little in renewable energy and continue to invest heavily in polluting coal and gas generation:

Analysis of company data by Greenpeace’s Investigation Unit shows renewable energy made up only 0.5 per cent of Origin Energy's and 1.9 per cent of EnergyAustralia's electricity generation during 2012-13.

AGL does better, with around 15 per cent of electricity generation, but in the past five years has increased its fossil fuel electricity generation capacity by around 50 per cent.

Analysis of major investments in generating infrastructure over the last five years shows EnergyAustralia and Origin have dramatically expanded their fossil fuel electricity generation by close to 75 and 87 per cent respectively and AGL has increased its by just over 50 per cent.

The Dirty Three are undermining the Renewable Energy Target to protect their profits:

The Dirty Three have helped to spread misinformation about the Renewable Energy Target and perpetuate mistruths which are distorting the public debate, for example:

the Renewable Energy Target is leading to higher electricity prices

meeting the 2020 Renewable Energy Target is not possible

wind and solar energy is unreliable. The report rebuts these claims.

Wind and solar projects have reportedly been frustrated by Origin and EnergyAustralia refusing to issue the power purchase agreements which renewable energy generators need to ensure they have customers for their power.

GREENPEACE LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN. The report kicks off the launch of a high profile Greenpeace campaign focused on “The Dirty Three.” The campaign invites customers of Origin, EnergyAustralia and AGL to petition their power company to support the Renewable Energy Target.

It includes a TV advertisement and grassroots campaigning in the electorates of Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Treasurer Joe Hockey and Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s electorates.

Greenpeace Head of Program Ben Pearson said, “While Australians are hungry for clean solar and wind power, the top three energy retailers are working to hold back the nation’s transition to a renewable energy future by undermining one of our most successful bipartisan policies ever.

“Analysis shows Origin, EnergyAustralia and AGL are expanding investment in coal and gas, exposing themselves to competition from renewable projects. These companies, some of the largest Australian polluters, are publicly attacking the target and actively frustrating wind and solar projects.

“The dramatic growth of renewables threatens the profits of the big energy companies and they’re responding by using their economic and political muscle to weaken the Renewable Energy Target.

“After years spent touting their green credentials, Australians are rightly shocked to find that these big energy companies are working to erode investment in renewable energy which will ultimately increase consumer power bills. Many customers have already contacted Greenpeace for advice on options for switching to alternate energy companies.

“Australia already lags behind other large economies like Germany and China in developing renewables capacity. Scrapping or reducing the Renewable Energy Target would be foolish. It would risk billions in renewable investments, increase power bills, forgo Australian jobs and increase carbon emissions,” Mr Pearson said.

Media Gallery – Footage and Stills of Launch:
www.greenpeacemedia.org
user: photos password: green

Jakarta, Sydney: 8 July 2014 - Indonesia’s second largest pulp and paper company, APRIL, which is part of the RGE Group, has been caught out in photographic evidence clearing rainforests and fire-prone peatland, deceiving customers through false environmental claims. The Greenpeace evidence comes just a week after a new study shows Indonesia’s forests are disappearing faster than anywhere else in the world.

Office supplies chain Staples recently confirmed that it no longer stock APRIL products globally, after Greenpeace International identified links to the company in China. Antalis, a global paper trading giant has also confirmed that it will not resume business with APRIL until it implements a Forest Conservation Policy.

In Australia, Greenpeace is urging retailers trading in APRIL products to follow their lead. These retailers include Office Choice[i], Office Brands[ii], and Smart Supplies Australia[iii] who are currently trading APRIL’s ‘PaperOne’ copy paper. Major printing company BJ Ball, which claims to be 'the No.1 distributor of paper and packaging products in Australasia" also stocks APRIL paper.[iv]

Similarly, Greenpeace is calling on international customers of APRIL/RGE, such as the world’s largest paper company, International Paper, 3M and US retailer Costco to urgently suspend trading with APRIL/RGE.

“Australian companies currently trading in Indonesia's forest destruction need to follow the responsible path taken by global companies like Staples, and Australian companies such as Officeworks which have suspended contracts with RGE/APRIL until it ends the forest destruction”, said Turner.

“APRIL has been caught out telling its customers it has support from governments and NGOs for a new policy to end rainforest clearance but at the exact same time its bulldozers are out trashing Indonesia’s rainforests and peatlands,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific Forest Campaigner Reece Turner.

A Greenpeace flyover in late May reveals ongoing clearance of dense forest, and drainage of peatlands at a concession on Padang Island off Riau. APRIL’s policy states that the company is only developing land that is not of “high conservation value” based on assessments that have been independently peer reviewed by the High Conservation Value Resource Network (HCVRN). However, Greenpeace confirmed with the HCVRN that in fact they peer- reviewed assessments for just two out of an estimated 50 concessions that supply APRIL. HCVRN has requested that APRIL correct its misleading claim.

Despite these findings, APRIL continues to claim, in documents leaked to Greenpeace, that it has “strong support” from WWF and that the Norwegian Government has endorsed its “Sustainable Forest Management Policy”. Both WWF and the Norwegian Ambassador to Indonesia have confirmed that these statements are incorrect and that they do not endorse the policy.

“Apparently RGE/APRIL doesn’t consider the clearance of rainforest on areas of deep peat to be in conflict with its conservation commitments. That should tell its customers all they need to know about the credibility of their commitments. We expect these customers to take urgent action,” said Turner

Greenpeace also documented evidence of extensive fires in another of its supplier pulpwood plantations, inside the PT Sumatra Riang Lestari (PT SRL) concession on Rupat Island in Riau Province. According to Greenpeace analysis released last month, fire hotspots are 3.5 times more frequent on deforested peat than on peat that has not been cleared by companies like APRIL.

“RGE/APRIL has been quick to blame others, but clearing and draining peatlands are a significant reason for the fires. It’s like dousing your house in petrol and blaming a passing smoker when it all goes up in flames. The fires will continue until forests and peatland are fully protected,” said Turner

APRIL is one of a number of pulp companies in the RGE Group, whose palm oil subsidiary, Asian Agri, has been embroiled in Indonesia’s biggest tax evasion case and named in a joint UNEP/Interpol report for its links to environmental crimes.

Despite recent major progress from other big plantation companies like Golden Agri Resources, Wilmar, and Asia Pulp & Paper, APRIL/RGE is refusing to immediately stop forest clearance. Greenpeace urges all customers of the group, and its financers, which are reported to include Santander and ABN Amro, to suspend business with RGE/APRIL until it implements credible commitments to end its role in deforestation.

In August 2011, following an award-winning expose by the Australian Broadcasting Corporations’ Foreign Correspondent, ‘Paper/Tiger’ [v]which revealed APRIL’s destructive method of clearing large swathes of rainforest to make paper, Australian companies Officeworks[vi] and Fuji Xerox Australia[vii] cancelled contracts with the paper giant.

Media contact:

In Australia: Reece Turner, Senior Forests Campaigner, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, +61 408 754 910, reece.turner@greenpeace.org

Tristan Tremschnig, Communications Coordinator Indonesia Forests, Greenpeace International, mob: +62 812 953 893 69 email:tristan.tremschnig@greenpeace.org

Photographs available at the following links

Photos of ongoing clearance at PT. Riau Andalan Pulp & Paper (PT RAPP) pulpwood concession on Pulau Pedang, in Riau Province. PT RAPP is a subsidiary of APRIL: http://photo.greenpeace.org/C.aspx?VP3=ViewBox_VPage&PSID=27MZ4BOQZSX&CT=Email&PN=1&IT=ThumbImageTemplate01_VForm&HBT=0

Photos of forest fire scars at PT Sumatra Riang Lestari (PT SRL) pulpwood concession in Rupat Island, in Riau Province. PT SRL is a supplier to APRIL: http://photo.greenpeace.org/C.aspx?VP3=PSR&PSID=27MZ4BOQOQO

Notes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[i] Office Choice currently feature ‘PaperOne’ A4 copypaper from APRIL on their homepage: http://www.officechoice.com.au/

[ii] Office Brands supported an APRIL ‘Paper One’ promotion late last year. http://www.stationerynews.com.au/news/paper-one-revs-up-office-brands-dealers

[iii] Smart Supplies currently offer ‘Paper One’ on their online store: http://www.smartsupplies.com.au/paper-products/office-papers/paperone-office-papers/58208-a4-paper-one-100gsm-presentation-red-wrap-delivery-charges-may-apply-on-a4-white-paper-for-orders-outside-south-east-queensland-please-call-1300-138-067-to-confirm-costings-

[iv] See http://www.bjball.com.au/paper-range/digital-range/paper-one-all-purpose-blue-wrap/127

[v] http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2011/s3283804.htm

[vi] http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/officeworks-cuts-ties-with-papermaker-20110825-1jby6.html

[vii] Statement by Fuji Xerox Australia http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/PageFiles/333002/Fuji%20Xerox%20Australia%20statement%20on%20Sustainable%20Paper%20Sourcing%203%20August%202011%20FINAL.pdf

The leaked APRIL customer presentation can be viewed here: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/briefings/forests/2014/APRIL%20Presentation.%20April.2014.pdf

Sydney, 29 July 2014: Claims by Environment Minister Greg Hunt suggesting Greenpeace has has been too hard on the Liberal Government can be disproved with a simple Google search, says Greenpeace.

Minister Hunt lashed out at Greenpeace in an interview on the Radio National Breakfast program this morning, suggesting that the independent organisation has been more critical of the current government than they were of the previous government. On two occasions, the Minister claimed that while Greenpeace criticised his decision to approve Australia’s biggest coal mine, Carmichael mine, Greenpeace said nothing when Labor approved the nearby Alpha coal mine.

“A quick google search with ‘Greenpeace AND “Alpha Mine”’ shows Greenpeace was in fierce opposition to Alpha coal mine,” said Greenpeace Program Director Ben Pearson. “A total of 2,190 google results come up with those exact words,” said Pearson.

One page on the Greenpeace website says: “The Alpha development is an environmental disaster, threatening our Reef, our climate and wildlife in the mining area.”

A further blog about the Alpha Mine on the Greenpeace website is titled “Mega mine, mega catastrophe.”

“We know Minister Hunt is au fait with Wikipedia, but he should try using Google,” said Pearson, “especially before he starts discrediting independent organisations supported by tens of thousands of Australians on national radio.”

“Rather than attacking environmental organisations, we think Minister Hunt’s time would be better used protecting the environment he is employed to protect,” said Pearson.

“Greenpeace is a wholly independent organisation that does not accept money from governments, corporations or political parties,” said Pearson. “We rely entirely on the generosity of individuals who make monthly donations to support our campaigns precisely so that we can maintain our independence from political parties and campaign to protect Australia’s precious places regardless of the politics of the day.”

“Our most urgent priority right now is saving the Great Barrier Reef from destructive coal developments like that just approved yesterday by Minister Hunt.”

“Carmichael Mine will be the biggest coal mine ever seen in Australia.

“This mega mine and its associated infrastructure will impact a total of 60 threatened species, require over 3 million tonnes of sea floor to be dredged from inside the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area, and produce over 130 mega tonnes of carbon emissions each year,” Pearson said.

Video footage and photographs of the Carmichael mine site and Abbot Point terminal available here: www.greenpeacemedia.org Username: photos Password: green

For images or more information, contact:

Elsa Evers
Greenpeace Media Advisor
Tel: 0438 204 041
Email: eevers@greenpeace.org.au

Sydney, Thursday 12 June 2014: Today, winter clearing at Australia’s most controversial new coal mine – Maules Creek - was stopped after Whitehaven gave the Land and Environment Court an undertaking to stop the bulldozers until a full hearing of the court case in September.

The Maules Creek Community Council had been seeking an injunction in the Land and Environment Court.

Greenpeace is calling for the State Government to ensure that no further work is done of any kind on the site until the scheduled hearing in September.

Greenpeace Senior Climate Campaigner, Nic Clyde said:

“We welcome today’s announcement but Minister Goward must immediately stop all work at Maules Creek coal mine.

“Whitehaven Coal’s investors should also be heading for the exits as this dud investment suffers another critical blow.”

“This latest delay in construction is yet another warning to investors. Whitehaven Coal has consistently failed to meet its own construction schedule at their Maules Creek mine, which is why they found themselves in the Land and Environment Court. Happily though, this is great news for the threatened bat and bird species which now have a place to hibernate or nest over the winter.

Contact:

Elsa Evers, Greenpeace Communications Officer – 0438 204 041

Nic Clyde, Greenpeace Senior Climate Campaigner – 0438 282 409

Tuesday 17 June, 2014: Greenpeace today welcomed Greg Hunt's decision to delay the approval of the controversial Carmichael mega-mine in Queensland's Galilee Basin, but is calling on the Environment Minister to reject the proposal entirely.

"Adani has a long record of environmental destruction and are not a company you would let look after your pot plants, let alone safeguard the future of the Great Barrier Reef," said Greenpeace Head of Programme Ben Pearson. "This mine would result in the development of a vast new coal terminal at Abbot Point in the World Heritage Area which would have required dredging and dumping, and thousands of extra coal ships carving through the Reef every year. Approving it now would have been tantamount to an act of provocation, with UNESCO currently mulling the status of Australia's greatest natural icon."

The Carmichael coal mine proposed for Queensland’s Galilee Basin would be the biggest ever seen in Australia. It would include six open cut pits and five underground mines. Measuring 28,000 hectares - seven times the area of Sydney Harbour - the mine would clear bushland home to threatened species like the Black-Throated Finch (Southern).

Carmichael will also extract billions of litres of water every year from local rivers and aquifers – water that is precious to the arid area - and burning the coal would produce four times the fossil fuel emissions of New Zealand.

“The proponent, Indian coal conglomerate Adani, has a disturbing record of breaking environmental laws in its home country, illegal activity and destruction of natural places," said Pearson.

“In Australia it has been reported that Adani breached environmental approval guidelines under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act when building a stormwater return dam at Abbot Point."

“We only hope that Mr Hunt isn't just trying to pull the wool over the eyes of UNESCO, with a view to approving the mine when the gaze of the world is elsewhere,” Mr Pearson said. "Australia deserves better than this."

Amsterdam/Sydney 1 August 2014. More than 300 days after it was illegally boarded following a high profile peaceful protest against Arctic oil drilling, the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise has finally departed Murmansk, Russia en route for its home port of Amsterdam.

The icebreaker has been held in custody since the ‘Arctic 30’, which included Tasmanian Colin Russell and permanent Australian residents Alexandra Harris and Jon Beauchamp, were apprehended on September 19th, 2013. On June 6th, 2014, Russia's Investigative Committee informed Greenpeace International that it was annulling the arrest of the Arctic Sunrise. A Greenpeace crew, led by Captain Daniel Rizzotti, finally gained access to the Arctic Sunrise on June 27th, and has spent three weeks making the ship seaworthy, after finding considerable disorder on board.

“When the Captain and crew boarded the Arctic Sunrise they found it in a bad state, with no maintenance for ten months, and the ship’s navigation, communications and safety systems either removed or destroyed”, said Greenpeace International Arctic campaigner Faiza Oulahsen.

“The Arctic Sunrise is now headed for Amsterdam, where the ship will need to undergo extensive repairs, so that it can get back to protecting the Arctic from reckless oil companies like Shell and Gazprom”.

The Arctic Sunrise is expected to arrive in Amsterdam in early August, where Greenpeace activists and supporters, along with members of the Arctic 30, will welcome the ship, before it enters a shipyard for a thorough assessment of its condition and the necessary repairs. Russia’s Investigative Committee recently told Greenpeace that it had extended its investigation into the Arctic 30 case until September 24th 2014, despite the fact that the criminal case against the 30 has been dropped.

“The illegal boarding and arrest of the Arctic Sunrise and the ongoing investigation into the Arctic 30 protest was an attempt to intimidate and stifle debate about Arctic oil drilling, but it has only made us stronger”, said Oulahsen, who was one of the Arctic 30 members detained in Russia. "Millions of people spoke out against the illegal imprisonment of the Arctic 30. These same millions of people know the planet is warming and that Arctic ice is melting, and will continue to peacefully oppose the reckless pursuit of Arctic oil both in Russia and around the world”.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific has welcomed Prime Minister Abbott's statement that the Margiris super trawler "will stay banned" and has called on him to table legislation to permanently ban all super trawlers in all Australian waters.

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

Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt should use his powers to immediately order an investigation into the potential impacts of exploration activities by Indian coal giant Adani on an endangered Australian finch at the site of a proposed Carmichael coal mine in Queensland’s Galilee Basin, says Greenpeace..

“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)