The Wangan and Jagalingou people are opposed to the mine because they believe the project will "devastate their ancestral lands and waters, totemic animals and plants, and cultural heritage". They have called on the Queensland Government to refuse a mining lease to Indian company Adani to prevent the mine’s development. (1)

“Greenpeace stands in solidarity with the Wangan and Jagalingou people and support their right to protect their ancestral lands from the destruction of mining,” Greenpeace campaigner Shani Tager said.

Adani’s proposed mine would be the biggest ever seen in Australia, which would require over 20,000 hectares of native bushland to be cleared and will use 12 billion litres of water every year. The Wangan and Jagalingou have said these impacts will cut the Indigenous people’s connection to the land and rivers.

The objection from the Wangan and Jagalingou people and the assertion of their rights increases the uncertainty around Adani’s planned coal mine. Such uncertainty continues to decrease the likelihood that Adani will be able to raise the necessary funds to begin the project.

“In light of clear opposition from Traditional Owners, and the considerable risk associated with this mine, we urge Australian and international banks to reject any proposals to fund Adani’s project,” Tager added.

Contact: Shani Tager (+61 427 914 070)

Notes: 1.http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/native-title-battle-shaping-up-over-adani-coal-mine-20150326-1m8esn.html

Video footage and photographs of the Carmichael mine site available here: http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=17632

Username: photos Password: green

Under the proposal, millions of tonnes of seabed would be dredged from the World Heritage Area and dumped on the Caley Valley wetlands – home to over 40,000 water birds.

“At the behest of a coal company, the Queensland Government has created a proposal to dredge the Reef and dump it in the Caley Valley wetlands in order to fast-track the controversial expansion of Abbot Point coal terminal,” said Greenpeace Reef campaigner Shani Tager.

“A colander has fewer holes than this dredging proposal,” said Ms Tager. “There has been no assessment on the impacts of dumping this acid sulphate dredge spoil on vulnerable species such as the Australian painted snipe, or endangered turtle breeding habitat.

“Adani, the Indian coal company behind the new Abbot Point coal terminal, has been holding the Queensland and Federal Governments to ransom over this development, threatening to pull out unless their demands are met. Greg Hunt has rolled over, again failing to stand up to Adani and its Reef wrecking agenda.”

Minister Hunt’s decision comes amidst financial uncertainty over the future of the new Abbot Point coal terminal. This week, some of the world’s largest investment banks ruled out financing the development.

“Despite all of the concerns by UNESCO, scientists and the Australian community, dredging for Adani’s proposed new mega coal port in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area will not even require a full environmental impact assessment. It’s an outrage,” Ms Tager said.

“Millions of Australians want to protect the Great Barrier Reef from coal developments. We need to let them know we will not take this lying down.”

Greenpeace’s submission to Environment Minister Greg Hunt on the revised dumping and dredging plans at Abbot Point is available here.
Queensland Government dredging and dumping proposal is available here
Queensland Government wetland proposal is available here

For comment, please call: Shani Tager, 0432 050 809
Photographs of the Caley Valley wetlands and Abbot Point available at: http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=19146 Username: photos Password: green

For interviews or more information, contact: Elsa Evers 0438 204 041

Greenpeace welcomes the retention of the Climate Change Authority and the Fraser-led review of the viability of international emission trading schemes.

However, the proposed Direct Action Plan is a tragically inadequate response to the very real threat posed by climate change,” said Clyde. “Australia needs mandatory, deep cuts to our carbon pollution. The Prime Minister needs to come to grips with reality – a reality that includes the very real threat of climate change.”

“To contextualise the impotence of this measure, consider this: the government approved the Carmichael mine in Queensland knowing that carbon emissions attributed to this mine alone would cancel out all gains made from the Direct Action climate policy (which aims to reduce emissions by 131 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2020). The burning of coal from Carmichael mine would emit approximately 130 million tonnes of carbon dioxide for every year of the mine's 90 year life” said Clyde.

On the eve of the UN’s IPCC Fifth Synthesis Report, Australia is making history with an unprecedented attack on action on climate change. This includes:

• Being the first government to abolish a price on carbon
• Has abolished the Climate Commission
• Has abolished the country’s long-term emissions reduction target of 80% by 2050
• Beginning Renewable Energy Target negotiations with a position advocating an effective 60% cut to the mandatory renewables build over the next six years
• Legislating a 5% target, which the Climate Change Authority has described as not “a credible start by Australia towards achieving the below 2 degree goal”
• Has cut funding to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)

“While all of this has been happening, Tony Abbott has become a self-styled cheer leader for coal, business as usual use of which – in the language of the IPCC – increases the ‘likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems’”.

Since Tony Abbott won government, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has declared that 2013 was among the top ten warmest years since modern records began in 1850, with the warmth being “most extreme in Australia, which had its hottest year on record”.

For further comment:

Greenpeace campaigner Nic Clyde: 0438 282 409

Media Officer Julie 0400 925 217

“The Great Barrier Reef is an Australian icon, a natural wonder, and it’s a national disgrace the way this government is failing to offer long-term protection to the Reef. The only way to protect the Reef is for the government to massively step up its conservation efforts, and abandon plans for destructive industrialisation such as coal port expansions.

“Banning dumping in the marine park will not protect the Reef from the massive coal port expansions in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The expansion of Abbot Point port requires extensive dredging that will destroy dugong habitat, and the port will send hundreds of coal ships ploughing through the Reef each year and contribute to climate change.

“World Heritage body UNESCO recommended that Australia should not approve any new port developments that would be detrimental to the Reef’s world heritage values back in 2012. Why has it taken the government so long to respond to just a fraction of the issue? This draft law is an attempt by Minister Hunt to try and save face while still allowing the massive coal mining expansions planned near the Reef, plans that will only worsen the impacts of climate change.

The proposed ban on the dumping of capital dredge spoil does not apply to the entire World Heritage Area, which is larger than the Marine Park. The majority of dredge spoil dumping takes place outside the marine park, within the World Heritage Area.

Capital dredge spoil could still be disposed of within the World Heritage Area at Cairns, Townsville, Gladstone and Abbot Point. Dredging itself - irrespective of where the waste is dumped- affects water quality, and negatively impacts seagrass, coral, turtles, dugongs, fish and other marine populations.

Contact
For comment and interviews contact Elsa Evers (0438 204 041); Shani Tager 0432 050 809

A new plan to expand the Abbot Point Coal Port announced by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk proposed to dumped dredge spoil on land on the site known as T2, adjacent to the existing coal terminal.

“This new proposal, though better than plans to dump dredge waste in the Caley Valley wetlands or the World Heritage Area, is still unacceptable. Coal mining is the biggest threat to the Reef and is fuelling climate change. Any new proposal to pave the way for more coal mining is simply offensive,” said Greenpeace Reef campaigner Shani Tager.

“This massive port expansion will still require ripping up a million tonnes of seafloor and the creation of a super highway of coal ships through the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

“Premier Palaszczuk’s plans will pave the way for construction of up to nine new coal mines, accelerating climate change and ocean acidification - processes that will turn the Great Barrier Reef into a coral graveyard.”

Leading up to the recent Queensland election, the Palaszczuk Government promised to delay the controversial expansion of Abbot Point Coal Port until Indian coal company Adani has secured the finance for its $16.5 billion plan to build Australia’s largest ever coal mine, rail and a new coal terminal at Abbot Point.

Many observers are questioning the need for the coal port expansions in the first place. A recent publication by Goldman Sachs advised investors to steer clear of new coal projects, citing a downturn in demand as China moves to cap its emissions. As coal prices continue at an eight-year low, financial analysts fear Abbot Point coal port will become a stranded asset.

“Why build a destructive coal port on the Reef that isn’t needed?” asked Tager.

“As China and the US move away from fossil fuels, Abbot Point will become redundant and we’ll be stuck with an industrial wasteland on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef,” Tager concluded.

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

For images or more information, contact: Elsa Evers 0438 204 041 or Shani Tager 0432 050 809

"Aussies are being sold 'fake' and chips, not flake and chips because of Australia's shoddy labelling laws,” said Oceans Campaigner Nathaniel Pelle. “The Assistant Health Minister needs to mandate the use of the Australian Fish Names Standard and introduce country of origin rules in restaurants and takeaways”.

A senate inquiry in 2014 recommended an exemption from country of origin regulations for the food service sector be lifted.

Greenpeace investigated shark being sold in 23 Melbourne restaurants in September 2014. DNA analysis undertaken by an independent laboratory revealed that only one of nine samples labelled ‘gummy shark’ was actually gummy and one third of the samples labelled ‘flake’ were found to be other species, mostly school shark. The voluntary Australian Fish Names Standard advises that the term ‘flake’ only be used for gummy shark and a similar species from New Zealand, rig.

“Australians are being kept in the dark about where their seafood comes from, the type of fish they are eating, and how it reached their plate,” said Pelle.

Under Australia’s current labelling laws, restaurants and takeaways don’t have to include any information on their menus about where the seafood comes from or what type of fish it is.

“It is not possible for consumers to make an informed decision under these conditions — a situation that may result in negative environmental and health outcomes.”

“Australians deserve labelling laws that tell us what fish we're eating, where it was caught and how it was caught.” 

Link to flake research briefing: http://bit.ly/1xA0vF9

Link to Senate report: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_Affairs_and_Transport/Seafood_labelling/Report

For interviews, contact:

Nathaniel Pelle, 0402 856 063

Elsa Evers, 0438 204 041

For more information: Visit www.labelmyfish.com. A background report includes detailed case studies of poor labelling.

The Wangan and Jagalingou people are opposed to the mine because they believe the project will "devastate their ancestral lands and waters, totemic animals and plants, and cultural heritage". They have called on the Queensland Government to refuse a mining lease to Indian company Adani to prevent the mine’s development. (1)

“Greenpeace stands in solidarity with the Wangan and Jagalingou people and support their right to protect their ancestral lands from the destruction of mining,” Greenpeace campaigner Shani Tager said.

Adani’s proposed mine would be the biggest ever seen in Australia, which would require over 20,000 hectares of native bushland to be cleared and will use 12 billion litres of water every year. The Wangan and Jagalingou have said these impacts will cut the Indigenous people’s connection to the land and rivers.

The objection from the Wangan and Jagalingou people and the assertion of their rights increases the uncertainty around Adani’s planned coal mine. Such uncertainty continues to decrease the likelihood that Adani will be able to raise the necessary funds to begin the project.

“In light of clear opposition from Traditional Owners, and the considerable risk associated with this mine, we urge Australian and international banks to reject any proposals to fund Adani’s project,” Tager added.

Contact: Shani Tager (+61 427 914 070)

Notes: 1.http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/native-title-battle-shaping-up-over-adani-coal-mine-20150326-1m8esn.html

Video footage and photographs of the Carmichael mine site available here: http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=17632

Username: photos Password: green

Greenpeace said the decision by BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale to withhold funding for the coal industry projects in the Galilee Basin has further reduced an already shrinking pool of possible funders for India’s Adani Group, the lead proponent of the Galilee projects.

“The growing reluctance from international banks to fund mining projects in the Galilee has become a stampede and reinforces what we have always known, that these projects are not financially viable and are environmentally disastrous,” Greenpeace campaigner Marina Lou says.

Leading scientists warned last month that the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is at risk of collapse from climate change and poor management and the proposed coal industry projects threaten to inflict permanent damage on the Reef, one of the world’s natural wonders. (1)

“The science is clear: we can have the Reef or coal mines, but we can’t have both. The Traditional Owners of the land, the Wangan and Jagalingou people, have also rejected the mining proposal. (2) It’s now time for Australian banks to make the right choice for Australia and refuse to finance such an environmentally and socially woeful project,” Lou added.

Credit Agricole issued the strongest refusal from international banks to date, stating that it does not intend to finance the project due to ‘the number and magnitude of issues linked to the planned coal development projects’.

BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole and Societe Generale are the latest in a cascade of global investment banks that have distanced themselves from the Galilee projects due to environmental impact concerns.

The others include Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan. Recently, a news report said analysts at the State Bank of India have also raised questions about the credit and foreign exchange risk of financing the Carmichael mining project, and the fact that “nothing is moving” on the project. (3)

Notes
1. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/23/great-barrier-reef-campaign-   scientists-call-for-scrapping-of-coal-projects
2. http://wanganjagalingou.com.au/
3. http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/03/13/india-adani-sbi-idINKBN0M914T20150313

For interviews, contact: In Australia: Elsa Evers (+61) 438 204 041 or Marina Lou: (+ 61) 404 098 163
In the UK: Areeba Hamid, (+44) 7826 851 291

Video footage and photos: http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=19586
Username: photos Password: green

"The more coal ships we have traveling through the Great Barrier Reef, the greater the risk" said Greenpeace Reef Campaigner Shani Tager.

"We saw how disastrous veering off course can be for the Reef with the Shen Neng 1 crashed into the reef in 2010 and today's news shows that coal ships are still gambling with the future of our reef."

"Fundamentally accidents happen and shortcuts like these put the reef at risk."

"Let's be clear - expanding coal ports such as Abbot Point will not only mean more dredging but more coal ships."

"Adani's proposed coal terminal will result in an additional 560 ships traveling through the Great Barrier Reef."

"If the Abbot Point coal port expansion proceeds, it will simply be a disaster waiting to happen."

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

For images, interviews or more information, contact: Shani Tager, 0427 914 070

“We will follow due process and respond to the MHA’s claims of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act violations and take the matter to court. But the government has also blocked our domestic accounts and is now preventing Indians from supporting our work for clean air, healthy forests, pesticide-free food and a livable environment. This isn't about Greenpeace India's constitutional and unquestionable right to receive funds from abroad, this is about the government trying to shut us down. The government is simply ignoring the concerns of the hundreds of thousands of Indians that support our campaigns, and the 70,000-plus Indians who support us financially.”

Last week, the MHA had temporarily suspended Greenpeace India’s license to receive money from overseas and served it with a show cause notice for alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Greenpeace India gets 70% of its funds from Indians, and the MHA has ordered that these funds be frozen as well. There is no provision in the FCRA Act, 2010 that permits this.

In the five days since news of the FCRA suspension was leaked by the MHA to media, a number of Indians have come forward to pledge their support for the organisation. However, many have seen their attempts to donate to the NGO blocked.

Amnesty International has called the blocking the funds: “… extreme measures taken by the government to disable an organisation for promoting the voices of some of the country’s most powerless people will damage and shame India. Intolerance to dissent will only weaken our society.” 

The proposal will see dredging in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the dumping of dredge spoil next to the Reef and the Caley Valley Wetlands.

“This is the third proposal for Abbot Point and it is still terrible news for the Reef,” says Greenpeace campaigner Shani Tager. “In addition to the direct impacts of dredging and dumping, it will mean more ships through the Reef’s sensitive waters, more coal dust and a higher risk of shipping accidents.”

“The biggest long term threat to the Reef is climate change and this proposal will see more coal shipped through the Reef and burnt, ultimately driving dangerous climate change.”

“If Greg Hunt and the Abbott Government are serious about protecting the Reef - as they keep telling the world they are - they should stop this project in its tracks,” says Tager. “If the Queensland government is serious about protecting the Reef, it shouldn’t be anywhere near this proposal.”

“Scientists are telling us the Reef’s health is already on the brink, and UNESCO is so worried they’re considering putting the Reef on the World Heritage ‘in danger’ list at their next meeting in June”

“When a much-loved Australian national icon is at risk of collapse, Australians expect their governments to pull out all the stops to save it. That is not what is happening. The people of Australia – and our beloved Reef - are being failed by our governments.”

“In a week where China announced a 42% decrease in coal imports for this year, the future of the entire project is in question - why would we risk our Reef when it’s not clear there’s any future demand for the coal?”

For interviews, contact: Elsa Evers+61) 438 204 041 or Shani Tager (+61) 427 914 070

Video footage and photos:http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=19586 
Username: photos  Password: green

The new Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) in Gladstone has been marred by construction delays, cost blowouts, company bankruptcies, and a desperate lack of demand for the new infrastructure.

The first loaded coal ship to depart WICET – the Toro Orient – is currently beginning its journey through the Great Barrier Reef to Hong Kong.

 “Today’s first coal shipment is a ship to nowhere. It’s taken seven years and around $3bn to build this port and the coal market is looking more depressed than ever. Coal demand has slumped, there’s a glut in supply and prices are still falling. This coal port should never have been built and should be the last along the Great Barrier Reef,” said Greenpeace Australia campaigner Shani Tager.

“The Queensland government must face up to reality and urgently reconsider the coal industry’s push to expand coal ports such as at Abbot Point within the Reef World Heritage Area. They’re an environmental disaster and a bad investment waiting to go wrong.

“Chinese customs data shows a 42% decrease in coal imports to China so far this year. There is simply no need for these coal industry expansions.”

The downturn in coal prices has been disastrous for the companies involved in the Wiggins Island terminal. Three of the eight coal companies have run into difficulties: Bandanna Energy went into administration in 2014, Cockatoo coal recently halted trading for three months, and Glencore will scale down their Australian coal production by 15 million tonnes, or 20%, in 2015.

“This new coal port has been built for mines that haven’t even been built. The coal companies involved in this doomed port have been hemorrhaging cash and will continue to bleed money as they remain stuck in ‘take or pay’ contracts that mean they have to pay for their stake in the port even if they don’t use it,” Tager said.

“Given the low coal price, the experience of WICET raises serious questions about building a destructive new coal terminal at Abbot Point.”

For interviews, contact: Elsa Evers (+61) 438 204 041 or Shani Tager: (+ 61) 427 914 070

Polling company ReachTEL contacted more than 2,500 people across Australia asking them to agree or disagree with the statement:

'If I had to choose between protecting the Great Barrier Reef and expanding the coal industry I would choose protecting the Reef'.

An enormous 85% agreed. (1)

“The Australian public has made it clear that they want the Great Barrier Reef – and all the good that it brings for our economy and environment – not a dying coal industry that is in global decline,” said Reef campaigner Shani Tager. “The public reaction mirrors recent scientific analysis which has also made it clear that Australia can have a healthy Reef or coal, but it can’t have both,” Tager added.

The opinion poll and scientific opinion (2) comes as yet another blow to the company attempting to force though the Carmichael mega-mine and Abbot Point port expansion. Adani Mining's financial controller Rajesh Gupta last week admitted in the Queensland Land Court that the company would not be bringing the promised 10,000 jobs if the mine opened, but only 1,464. (3)

Mr. Gupta’s testimony also raised further doubt about the financing of the project. Eleven international banks, many of which already invest in Australian mines, have said they won’t invest in the Carmichael mine.

In the coming weeks UNESCO will also publish its draft conclusions about the Australian Government's commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef, after raising serious concerns about the poor health of the World Heritage Area in recent years.

Greenpeace is urging UNESCO to place the Great Barrier Reef on its “in danger” list until the Australian government presents a credible plan for its protection – one that does not include the expansion of coal mines and ports.

Contacts:

Aaron Gray-Block (+61) 437 845 150, Shani Tager (+61) 427 914 070

Notes:
(1) http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/PageFiles/293385/Greenpeace-ReachTEL-Poll-23%20April-2015.pdf
(2) http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2015/03/20/4201097.htm
(3) http://www.smh.com.au/business/comment-and-analysis/adani-mining-feels-heat-over-14b-galilee-basin-coal-mine-gap-20150427-1mud1h.html

These methods can avoid needlessly killing marine life like sharks, turtles, small whales and juvenile tuna, according to the 2015 Greenpeace canned tuna ranking.

“Most canned tuna in the world is caught using destructive fishing methods that wantonly destroy marine life and put tuna stocks at risk.  Thanks to consumer pressure that no longer applies in the Australian market,” said Nathaniel Pelle, Greenpeace Australia Pacific oceans campaigner.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific launched the sixth edition of its successful canned tuna guide on World Tuna day, 2 May 2014.  For the first time the brands that have converted to responsible fishing methods outnumber the brands who are yet to convert.

“Tuna’s the most popular seafood product in Australia and with several tuna stocks being in a precarious state, the environmental significance of this dramatic change is hard to overestimate,” said Pelle. “When we first introduced the guide in 2010 most brands couldn’t even tell us what species of tuna was in their cans, let alone where it came from or how it was caught.”

“For those brands to have negotiated directly with the fishing companies to ensure they only source from responsible fishing methods is a dramatic turnaround.”

Australians consume over 40,000 tonnes of canned tuna every year, most of it sourced in the waters of our Pacific Island neighbours.  More than 2.5 million tonnes of tuna is caught in the Pacific every year, which contributes over 70% of the world’s tuna catch.  All tuna species are in decline, with the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) and purse seine nets being a major cause.

FADs attract marine life, including tuna, making the fish easier to catch with giant ‘purse seine’ nets, however this method results in a dramatic increase in catch of juvenile yellowfin and bigeye tuna, and non-tuna species known as bycatch.

All major Australian brands have committed to end the use of FADs with purse seine nets in favour of FAD-free and ‘pole and line’ fishing.

"The best thing Aussie consumers can do is use our canned tuna guide, find a brand that labels its cans correctly, and choose a product that has already switched to using skipjack tuna caught by 'pole and line' or FAD-free fishing methods," said Pelle.

Calling it ‘strangulation by stealth’ Greenpeace India challenged the government's Ministry of Home Affairs to stop using arbitrary penalties and confirm they are silencing Greenpeace India because of its successful campaigns.

It’s the first time in nearly half a century of campaigning that the environmental group faces having one of its national organisations forcibly shut down.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s decision to block Greenpeace India’s domestic bank accounts could lead to not only the loss of 340 employees of the organization but a sudden death for its campaigns on sustainable development, environmental justice and clean, affordable energy.

The Executive Director of Greenpeace India, Samit Aich today addressed his staff to prepare them for the imminent shutdown of the organisation after 14 years in the country. “I just made one of the hardest speeches of my life, but my staff deserve to know the truth. We have one month left to save Greenpeace India from complete shutdown, and to fight the Home Ministry’s indefensible decision to block our domestic accounts,” said Aich.

Following allegations over foreign funding, Greenpeace India has been the subject of a string of penalties imposed by the Indian government, all of which have been overturned by the Delhi High Court. The latest is blocking access to domestic bank accounts funded by donations from over 77,000 Indian citizens.

While Greenpeace India is currently preparing its formal response to this decision as well as a fresh legal challenge, Aich is concerned that the legal process could extend well beyond June 1st - when cash reserves for salaries and office costs will run dry.

Aich continued: “The question here is why are 340 people facing the loss of their jobs? Is it because we talked about pesticide-free tea, air pollution, and a cleaner, fairer future for all Indians?”

Priya Pillai, a senior campaigner with Greenpeace India whose overseas travel ban was overturned by the Delhi High Court in the month of March was also at the meeting. She said:

“I fear for my own future, but what worries me much more is the chilling message that will go out to the rest of Indian civil society and the voiceless people they represent. The Home Minister has gone too far by blocking our domestic bank accounts, which are funded by individual Indian citizens. If Greenpeace India is first, who is next?”

Environmental charities in Australia are also under attack, with some government MPs calling for their charitable tax status to be revoked.

According to Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter, "The Abbott Government is losing the public argument on the Great Barrier Reef, on forests, on climate change and on the wind-back of protections of the natural places that we all love, so they are trying to intimidate environmental charities into silence."

“We will follow due process and respond to the MHA’s claims of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act violations and take the matter to court. But the government has also blocked our domestic accounts and is now preventing Indians from supporting our work for clean air, healthy forests, pesticide-free food and a livable environment. This isn't about Greenpeace India's constitutional and unquestionable right to receive funds from abroad, this is about the government trying to shut us down. The government is simply ignoring the concerns of the hundreds of thousands of Indians that support our campaigns, and the 70,000-plus Indians who support us financially.”

Last week, the MHA had temporarily suspended Greenpeace India’s license to receive money from overseas and served it with a show cause notice for alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). Greenpeace India gets 70% of its funds from Indians, and the MHA has ordered that these funds be frozen as well. There is no provision in the FCRA Act, 2010 that permits this.

In the five days since news of the FCRA suspension was leaked by the MHA to media, a number of Indians have come forward to pledge their support for the organisation. However, many have seen their attempts to donate to the NGO blocked.

Amnesty International has called the blocking the funds: “… extreme measures taken by the government to disable an organisation for promoting the voices of some of the country’s most powerless people will damage and shame India. Intolerance to dissent will only weaken our society.” 

The proposal will see dredging in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the dumping of dredge spoil next to the Reef and the Caley Valley Wetlands.

“This is the third proposal for Abbot Point and it is still terrible news for the Reef,” says Greenpeace campaigner Shani Tager. “In addition to the direct impacts of dredging and dumping, it will mean more ships through the Reef’s sensitive waters, more coal dust and a higher risk of shipping accidents.”

“The biggest long term threat to the Reef is climate change and this proposal will see more coal shipped through the Reef and burnt, ultimately driving dangerous climate change.”

“If Greg Hunt and the Abbott Government are serious about protecting the Reef - as they keep telling the world they are - they should stop this project in its tracks,” says Tager. “If the Queensland government is serious about protecting the Reef, it shouldn’t be anywhere near this proposal.”

“Scientists are telling us the Reef’s health is already on the brink, and UNESCO is so worried they’re considering putting the Reef on the World Heritage ‘in danger’ list at their next meeting in June”

“When a much-loved Australian national icon is at risk of collapse, Australians expect their governments to pull out all the stops to save it. That is not what is happening. The people of Australia – and our beloved Reef - are being failed by our governments.”

“In a week where China announced a 42% decrease in coal imports for this year, the future of the entire project is in question - why would we risk our Reef when it’s not clear there’s any future demand for the coal?”

For interviews, contact: Elsa Evers+61) 438 204 041 or Shani Tager (+61) 427 914 070

Video footage and photos:http://www.greenpeacemedia.org/main.php?g2_itemId=19586 
Username: photos  Password: green

These methods can avoid needlessly killing marine life like sharks, turtles, small whales and juvenile tuna, according to the 2015 Greenpeace canned tuna ranking.

“Most canned tuna in the world is caught using destructive fishing methods that wantonly destroy marine life and put tuna stocks at risk.  Thanks to consumer pressure that no longer applies in the Australian market,” said Nathaniel Pelle, Greenpeace Australia Pacific oceans campaigner.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific launched the sixth edition of its successful canned tuna guide on World Tuna day, 2 May 2014.  For the first time the brands that have converted to responsible fishing methods outnumber the brands who are yet to convert.

“Tuna’s the most popular seafood product in Australia and with several tuna stocks being in a precarious state, the environmental significance of this dramatic change is hard to overestimate,” said Pelle. “When we first introduced the guide in 2010 most brands couldn’t even tell us what species of tuna was in their cans, let alone where it came from or how it was caught.”

“For those brands to have negotiated directly with the fishing companies to ensure they only source from responsible fishing methods is a dramatic turnaround.”

Australians consume over 40,000 tonnes of canned tuna every year, most of it sourced in the waters of our Pacific Island neighbours.  More than 2.5 million tonnes of tuna is caught in the Pacific every year, which contributes over 70% of the world’s tuna catch.  All tuna species are in decline, with the use of fish aggregating devices (FADs) and purse seine nets being a major cause.

FADs attract marine life, including tuna, making the fish easier to catch with giant ‘purse seine’ nets, however this method results in a dramatic increase in catch of juvenile yellowfin and bigeye tuna, and non-tuna species known as bycatch.

All major Australian brands have committed to end the use of FADs with purse seine nets in favour of FAD-free and ‘pole and line’ fishing.

"The best thing Aussie consumers can do is use our canned tuna guide, find a brand that labels its cans correctly, and choose a product that has already switched to using skipjack tuna caught by 'pole and line' or FAD-free fishing methods," said Pelle.