Fairfax media has reported that Adani has begun sacking about 90 engineers, safety officers and other mining personnel working on the Carmichael mine, raising fresh doubts about the mine’s status. Sources told Fairfax only 20 Adani staff would remain in Brisbane from a workforce of about 100 beyond March 2015.

“Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt must quash the mining licence for this and the other coal mines in the Galilee Basin that were seeking to piggyback off the Adani project,” said Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner, Nikola Casule.

“How many more pieces have to fall off this trainwreck of a project before the Federal Government can see that it’s not going anywhere?”

“Adani has been unable to find the $16.5 million it needs. No major bank will fund the Carmichael project, it’s years behind schedule, and now existing workers who would have built it are being sacked.”

“You have to ask what right-thinking investor could support this ill-conceived plan now,” said Dr Casule.

“Eleven international banks have stated they won’t fund it, Queensland Treasury has called it ‘unbankable’ and coal prices globally are down on the projections Adani were counting on when it began planning.

“There must be no rescue package, no attempt to resuscitate this mine. Federal Environment minister Greg Hunt must now revoke the licence for Carmichael and promise that no taxpayer money, such as the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund, be used to prop it up.”

If it was built, the Carmichael mine would require expansion of Abbot Point port, dredging in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, put an extra 600 coal ships a year through the Reef and create 121 million tonnes of greenhouse gas a year at full production.

“Until the mining licence for Carmichael and the other Galilee mines are off the table, the Great Barrier Reef remains under threat from the carbon bomb that Galilee would release,” said Dr Casule.

For interview contact
Dr Nikola Čašule Climate and Energy Campaigner
Greenpeace Australia Pacific
Tel: 02 9263 0355
Mob: 0428 769 307 ​

“With the court overturning Carmichael's consent, Mr. Hunt has a second chance to do his job properly and consign to history this massive mine, which would devastate the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, and be a climate catastrophe,” said Nikola  Casule, Greenpeace Australia Pacific climate and energy campaigner.

Approved in July 2014, Carmichael would be Australia’s largest coal mine, and would heavily impact the Great Barrier Reef through associated dredging and port activity to ship the coal. At 28,000 hectares, it would also produce 121 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions yearly at maximum production driving climate change.

“This is another nail in the coffin for the risky Carmichael project and a warning for the big 4 Australian banks to walk away from this project. Not only has it been called ‘unbankable’ by the Queensland Treasury, but 11 international banks have already chosen not to invest in it because of the financial and environmental risks,” said Dr Casule.

“It’s time for the big 4 Australian banks  - the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Westpac and ANZ - to publicly commit that they will not fund this or any other Galilee coal basin developments.”

The Queensland-based Mackay Conservation Group launched a federal legal challenge against the Carmichael mine in January. Information brought to light during the hearings showed inaccuracies around the mine's use of water, super inflated job promises and economic modelling, and significant environmental impacts not taken into account when the consent was granted. The Court decision today ruled in the Mackay Conservation Group's favour and overturned the mine's approval.   It comes after recent media reports in Australia that Adani has sent home key contractors who were working on the mine infrastructure, adding further doubt to the viability of the project.

“Greenpeace congratulates the Mackay Conservation Group on this win and their challenge, which was fought on behalf of all Australians. It’s clear that no new coal mines are needed in Australia. Mr. Hunt now has a chance to redeem himself and get rid of Carmichael once and for all,” said Dr Casule.

Australia’s biggest bank has abandoned the Adani coal mine project in the Galilee basin, as reported in Fairfax media. The Commonwealth Bank confirmed that “its financial mandate with the Adani project had ended”, with Fairfax quoting sources listing environmental concerns. [1]

“The Commonwealth Bank can see the future, and it’s not powered by dirty coal,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific climate and energy Campaigner Nikola Casule.  “Intelligent investors realise that this project was never going to work. It’s unbankable, unprofitable and unconscionable. With the Commonwealth Bank giving up on the project, now is the time for the other three big Australian banks to do the same and rule out financing for the Carmichael project.”

“You have to wonder how many more things can go wrong for Carmichael before Adani chucks in the towel.  They now have no approval to operate, nobody to fund it and are sending their contractors home.  This project is not worth the paper it's written on."

Approved in July 2014, Carmichael would be Australia’s largest coal mine and one of the biggest in the world.  On the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef, it would require massive seafloor dredging and port expansion, resulting in hundreds more coal ships through Reef waters. At 28,000 hectares, it would also produce 121 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions yearly at maximum production, driving climate change - the greatest threat to the Reef.

“International bank Standard Chartered is now standing alone as the only financial institution that has not cut links with this uneconomical, environmentally disastrous coal mine.  With the overturning of Carmichael's approval and the withdrawal of Commonwealth Bank's involvement in this week alone, it is beyond time for them to publicly distance themselves from this doomed project.”

[1]http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/adani-and-commonwealth-bank-part-ways-casting-further-doubt-on-carmichael-coal-project-20150805-gisd1l.html

For interview contact  Dr Nikola Čašule Climate and Energy Campaigner

Greenpeace Australia Pacific

Tel: 02 9263 0355  

Mob: 0428 769 307

The Norwegian parliament has recognised the havoc that coal wreaks on our climate and the environment, as well as on investors' bottom line. That’s a clear message for the Australian government - rather than help fund future coal projects in the Galilee Basin, the federal government should put its money elsewhere.

The Norwegian Oil Fund, the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, is one of the best performing investment funds in the world. The decision to divest from coal is a strong warning to anyone thinking of investing in the Carmichael mega-mine and Abbot Point port proposed for Queensland's Galilee Basin."

“With coal on the way out and a coal price in decline, smart investors are getting out. Eleven major global banks have already ruled out investing in the Carmichael mine and it's time for Australia's big four banks to take care of their own investors and the Great Barrier Reef by saying no to this doomed project.”

Contact: Aaron Gray-Block 0437 845 150 or Nikola Casule 0428 769 307 

Aaron Gray-Block had been travelling to India on an Australian passport to take part in a series of meetings with staff and to learn more about Greenpeace India’s current campaigns. 

Commenting on the news, Divya Raghunandan, Programme Director, Greenpeace India said:

“Our colleague has a valid business visa, and yet he was prevented from entering India with no reason given. We support the free movement of people across the world, which is crucial to the work of business as well as charities. Greenpeace International is a global organisation that helps to find solutions to environmental problems. There is absolutely no reason why one of its staff members should be treated in such an arbitrary way, and we expect the Ministry of Home Affairs to offer a full explanation.”

“We are forced to wonder if all international staff of Greenpeace will now be prevented from entering the country? If the Home Minister Rajnath Singh has a stand on this, then we would like him to state it clearly.”

Gray-Block was denied entry, his passport was seized and he was put on a flight to Kuala Lumpur despite having a valid business visa and documents. His passport was returned to him after he landed in Kuala Lumpur. He is now back in Australia. This is not the first time Greenpeace staff from other countries have been denied entry into India.

Greenpeace is a global organisation functioning in more than 50 countries. Being a global organisation Greenpeace believes in the process of international integration of people, thoughts, resources and ideas. Denying entry to a Greenpeace International employee with a valid visa is yet further proof of the extent to which the Indian Government is prepared to go in violating Greenpeace’s right to freedom of expression under international law and under India’s Constitution.

The treatment of Aaron Gray-Block is just the latest in a series of attempts by the Indian government to obstruct the work of the environmental group.

Greenpeace India faces a coordinated crackdown orchestrated by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs. On 9th of April, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh blocked Greenpeace India's bank accounts for which the environmental group had to seek interim relief from the Delhi High Court. Previously, Greenpeace India activist Priya Pillai was prevented from travelling to London to voice her concerns against a multinational coal company trying to destroy one of Asia’s oldest sal wood forests.

The Delhi High Court overturned this action of the Ministry of Home Affairs and after a four month ordeal, Priya Pillai’s ‘offload’ passport stamp was formally expunged in May.

For further information, contact:

Aaron Gray-Block, (Sydney): +61 437 845 150; aaron.gray-block@greenpeace.org

Anindita Datta Chouhdury, Senior Media Officer, Greenpeace India: 9871515804; adattach@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace International Press Desk, phone: +31 (0)20 718 2470, email: pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

The video, featuring Gotye’s hit song “Heart’s A Mess”, urges viewers to “Take Another Look” at the Reef. It contrasts the Reef’s natural beauty with the damage already done and the potential for even more if reckless industrial development, mega mine and coal port expansion continue to be advocated by the Australian government.

“The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living thing and Australia is supposed to be its guardian. The vast majority of Australians want the Reef protected, not more coal expansion,” said Jess Panegyres from Greenpeace Australia Pacific. “Tony Abbott’s government is more interested in propping up a dying coal industry than keeping alive the Great Barrier Reef, and the vital, sustainable tourism industry that depends on it.”

The video launch comes two weeks after UNESCO’s draft report on the health of the Reef warned it is in a poor condition and demanded the Australian government report back in 18 months on implementing real protection for the Reef.  

“As a diver I have seen the Reef changing and we must listen to the warnings from UNESCO and environmental groups like Greenpeace,” said Paddy Colwell, marine biologist and founder of Reef Teach – a Cairns-based education centre, dedicated to showing the wonders of Great Barrier Reef. “A healthy Reef is vital for the tourism industry and the government has admitted that without pressure from environmentalists, they wouldn’t have done anything to stop the on-going destruction.” Colwell added.

UNESCO is due to produce its final report in Bonn in two weeks time.

“The Abbott government is still pushing its Reef 2050 plan on UNESCO, but the plan allows for coal port expansion, which is completely contrary to the advice from UNESCO to not approve any projects that impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the Reef,” said Panegyres.

Greenpeace is calling on Tony Abbott to remove port expansion loopholes from the Reef 2050 plan; cancel the Carmichael mega-mine and the Abbot Point coal port expansion and instead invest in a sustainable energy industry that will provide secure jobs and a sustainable future for Queensland workers, support the goals of the tourism sector and help save the Reef.

In addition Greenpeace is calling on financial institutions who are considering investing in the Carmichael mega-mine and Abbot Point coal port expansion to recognise that they will be investing in the destruction of a World Heritage Area as well as threatening the 70,000 jobs in tourism that rely on a healthy Reef and should cancel any further financial involvement in the projects.

Contacts:

Sara Holden, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Media: +61 417 329 504

Jess Panegyres, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Political Advisor

Staunch environmentalist and hollywood star, Mark Ruffalo said “I stand with the 85% of Australians who say they want more protection for the Great Barrier Reef – not more coal industry expansion along the Reef” (1)

Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder added “In our lifetime, half the coral cover of the Great Barrier Reef has gone. Really let that sink in… can you imagine a world without coral?  But we are the generation that can reverse this massive destruction—not only for our oceans health but for all forms of life on this planet, including our own. We must stop coal development on the Great Barrier Reef and we must stop it now.”

A large and diverse group of organisations, scientists, environmentalists and individuals is campaigning to save the Great Barrier Reef. Traditional Owners of the land on which it is proposed that the Carmichael coal mine be built have also been campaigning worldwide to halt the project.

Earlier this week the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO concluded that the health of the Reef was poor and demanded the Australian government report-back in 18 months time on concrete action taken to save the Reef.

 “Greenpeace is honoured and delighted that Mark Ruffalo and Ian Somerhalder are raising their voices for the Reef,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific executive director, David Ritter. “Their strong environmental campaigning on climate change and oceans protection has brought a powerful spotlight onto the threats to our planet and focusing their attention and expertise on the Great Barrier Reef at this critical time is a very welcome boost to the global movement.” Ritter added.

Greenpeace is calling on Tony Abbott to stop trying to prop up a dying coal industry that is killing the Great Barrier Reef and driving climate change; remove port expansion loopholes from the government’s Reef 2050 plan; cancel the Carmichael mega-mine and the Abbot Point coal port expansion and instead invest in a sustainable energy industry that will provide secure jobs and a sustainable future for Queensland workers and the Reef.

In addition Greenpeace is calling on financial institutions who are considering investing in the Carmichael mega-mine and Abbot Point coal port expansion to recognise that they will be investing in the destruction of a World Heritage Area, the world’s largest living thing, and should cancel any further financial involvement in the projects.

Notes:

(1)http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/PageFiles/293385/Greenpeace-ReachTEL-Poll-23%20April-2015.pdf)

The Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior is currently sailing the Great Barrier Reef to highlight the ongoing threat from climate change and coal mine and port expansion. 

Activists held up banners in front of the waiting vessels saying “This is a bush fire”, “This is a flood”, and “This is a heat wave” to highlight the devastating impact of coal-fired climate change. One crew member from Vanuatu, whose island was devastated by Cyclone Pam tagged one of the dozens of waiting vessels “This is a cyclone”.

"It is too little too late from the Abbott Government," said Nikola Casule, climate and energy campaigner at Greenpeace.

The government has reportedly announced a cut to Australia's carbon emissions of between 26 and 28 per cent by 2030, far below what the country's contribution should be to assist in keeping global warming to under 2 degrees. Other major economies have already announced their commitments.

"This is the latest failure of the Abbott government to take climate change seriously.

"This is reflected by their insistence on supporting the coal industry when other countries are moving to renewables.

"With this target, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the cabinet are thumbing their collective noses at the concerns of ordinary Australians.

"According to the Climate Institute's poll this week two thirds of Australians think climate change should be taken more seriously.

"All we have is doublespeak being shopped around by the Abbott government.

"The government is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the Australian public and the international community by using Australia's 2005 emissions levels as the benchmark for cutting emissions.

"Australia's greenhouse gas emissions were unusually high in 2005, so we are in effect promising less of a cut than is needed.

"Australia's stance on climate change is an international embarrassment and with every passing day we become more isolated from the rest of the world," concluded Casule.

ENDS

Background:

Greenpeace Australia Pacific is calling for the following targets in order to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees:

• 40 – 60 per cent reduction by 2025 from 2000 levels;

• 60 – 80 per cent reduction by 2030 from 2000 levels; and

• Zero net emissions by 2040.

UK-based international bank Standard Chartered has become the second financial institution in just a few days to walk away from the proposed Carmichael mega coal mine in Queensland, with the Commonwealth Bank having ended its involvement in the project last week. The move by the banks comes hot on the heels of the Federal Court’s decision to revoke the mine’s federal approval due to Minister Hunt’s failure to properly consider its environmental impact.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific has welcomed the decision by Standard Chartered to end their role as the leading financial adviser to the Carmichael coal mine after the company's spokesperson told Greenpeace UK that they will no longer provide financial advice to the project.

"This is a victory for anyone who cares about the future of both the Great Barrier Reef and the world’s efforts to tackle climate change,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific climate and energy campaigner Nikola Casule.

“This controversial project is now a massive reputational risk for even the world’s most powerful banks.”

“The federal court has already revoked the mine’s approval to operate. With both banks involved in the project now having pulled out it is beyond time for federal Environment Minister, Greg Hunt to end the uncertainty and rule out the government’s support for what is one of the most environmentally destructive fossil fuel developments in the world,” added Casule.

“Despite Prime Minister Abbott’s unprecedented attacks on the environmental movement and the judiciary last week over the Carmichael mine, Standard Chartered’s decision is further proof that the world's leading political and business decision makers know that the the world must move away from dirty coal.”

Carmichael would be Australia’s largest coal mine and one of the largest in the world. On the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef, it would require massive seafloor dredging and port expansion, resulting in hundreds more coal ships sailing through Reef waters. At 28,000 hectares, it would also produce 121 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions yearly at maximum production driving climate change - the greatest threat to the Reef.

“Kiribati, as a nation faced with a very uncertain future, is calling for a global moratorium on new coal mines. It would be one positive step towards our collective global action against climate change and it is my sincere hope that you and your people would add your positive support in this endeavour,” said President Tong

“Let us join together as a global community and take action now. The construction of each new coal mine undermines the spirit and intent of any agreement we may reach, particularly in the upcoming COP 21 in Paris, whilst stopping new coal mine constructions now will make any agreement reached in Paris truly historical.

“As leaders, we have a moral obligation to ensure that the future of our children, our grandchildren and their children is safe and secure. For their sake, I urge you to support this call for a moratorium on new coal mines and coal mine expansions.”

The Executive Director of Greenpeace International, Dr. Kumi Naidoo, is in Kiribati to bear witness to the effects of climate change on the small island nation.

“The people of Kiribati are refusing to be silenced by reckless governments and corporations that are perpetuating climate change, and which in turn is causing rising sea-levels. I join President Tong in calling on all leaders of similarly threatened islands to stand together and demand climate justice.”

“I have now seen first hand what a sea level rise means for the people of Kiribati. It is not some scientific modelling or projection - it is real, it is happening now and it will only get worse.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s fifth assessment stressed that sea level rise projected this century will present 'severe flood and erosion risks' for low-lying islands, with the potential also for degradation of freshwater resources.

Every high tide now carries with it the potential for damage and flooding. In some places the sea level is rising by 1.2 centimetres a year, four times faster than the global average. (1) This means that 80 per cent of coal reserves must remain unused if we are to have any chance at protecting nations like Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and the Philippines. (2)

A recent study by researchers at the University College London stressed that “it has been estimated that to have at least a 50 per cent chance of keeping warming below 2 °C throughout the twenty-first century, the cumulative carbon emissions between 2011 and 2050 need to be limited to around 1,100 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (Gt CO2).” (3)

“We know the science and we know the end of the age of coal is coming. Scrambling to dig up more dirty coal can only be driven by ignorance or sheer disregard for the millions of people at risk from burning it. We need international leadership on this issue and a planned retreat from coal involving a just transition for existing workers and developed in consultation with affected communities,“ said Dr Naidoo.

The moratorium call is intended to sit outside the formal negotiating text of the CoP and stand alone as a clear action that all countries can commit to immediately.

Greenpeace is working with community groups and civil society in countries in the Pacific to demand climate justice. In June 2015, people from climate-impacted communities from Tuvalu, Kiribati, Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands as well as representatives from the Philippines vowed to seek 'Climate Justice' during a meeting on board the Greenpeace ship the Rainbow Warrior, The People's Declaration for Climate Justice was handed over to the President of Vanuatu.

1) Nurse, L.A., et. al., 2014: “Small islands in: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability”. Part B: Regional Aspects. & Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Barros, V.R., et. al.(eds.)]. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, pp. 1613-1654.

2) 80 per cent of coal reserves must remain unused from: http://endcoal.org/2015/03/the-worldwide-coal-boom-goes-bust/

3) McGlade, C., & Ekins, P. (2015) “The geographical distribution of fossil fuels unused when limiting global warming to 2°C”. Nature 517 (8 January 2015): 187-190

“UNESCO now joins a long line of scientists, banks, organisations and individuals who are deeply worried about the Reef’s health. The Australian government can’t talk about protecting the Reef while aggressively supporting the licensing of mega-mines and expansion of coal ports along the Great Barrier Reef coast,” said Shani Tager, Greenpeace Australia Reef campaigner. 

UNESCO had been relentlessly lobbied by the Australian government, who have continued to insist that the Reef is fine despite that fact that 50% of its coral cover has been destroyed in the last thirty years. Eminent scientists and environmentalists have warned that the Reef is still in danger from numerous threats, including coal mine and port expansions and climate change. 

“This decision has been described by some as a reprieve for the Reef. It is not a reprieve - it is a big, red flag from UNESCO. Preeminent Reef scientists have said we can either have coal expansion or a healthy Reef, but we can’t have both. The Australian people have made it clear they want Reef protection not more coal. UNESCO has now also sent a clear signal that the Abbott government must fully protect the Great Barrier Reef and that means a reprieve from coal expansion,” added Tager. 

Greenpeace is calling on Tony Abbott to stop trying to prop up a dying coal industry that is killing the Great Barrier Reef and driving climate change; remove port expansion loopholes from the Reef 2050 plan; cancel the Carmichael mega-mine and   the Abbot Point coal port expansion and instead invest in a sustainable energy industry that will provide secure jobs and a sustainable future for Queensland workers and the Reef. 

In addition Greenpeace is calling on financial institutions who are considering investing in the Carmichael mega-mine and Abbot Point coal port expansion to recognise that they will be investing in the destruction of a World Heritage Area, the world’s largest living thing, and should cancel any further financial involvement in the projects.

Contact:

Shani Tager (in Brisbane) + 61 427 914 070

Sara Holden, Greenpeace Communications  (in Sydney) +61 417 329 504

Leanne Minshull, Greenpeace International Political Advisor (Amsterdam)  +31 646162025

Tom Lowe, Greenpeace Communication (Amsterdam)  +31 646 16 20 24

UK-based international bank Standard Chartered has become the second financial institution in just a few days to walk away from the proposed Carmichael mega coal mine in Queensland, with the Commonwealth Bank having ended its involvement in the project last week. The move by the banks comes hot on the heels of the Federal Court’s decision to revoke the mine’s federal approval due to Minister Hunt’s failure to properly consider its environmental impact.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific has welcomed the decision by Standard Chartered to end their role as the leading financial adviser to the Carmichael coal mine after the company's spokesperson told Greenpeace UK that they will no longer provide financial advice to the project.

"This is a victory for anyone who cares about the future of both the Great Barrier Reef and the world’s efforts to tackle climate change,” said Greenpeace Australia Pacific climate and energy campaigner Nikola Casule.

“This controversial project is now a massive reputational risk for even the world’s most powerful banks.”

“The federal court has already revoked the mine’s approval to operate. With both banks involved in the project now having pulled out it is beyond time for federal Environment Minister, Greg Hunt to end the uncertainty and rule out the government’s support for what is one of the most environmentally destructive fossil fuel developments in the world,” added Casule.

“Despite Prime Minister Abbott’s unprecedented attacks on the environmental movement and the judiciary last week over the Carmichael mine, Standard Chartered’s decision is further proof that the world's leading political and business decision makers know that the the world must move away from dirty coal.”

Carmichael would be Australia’s largest coal mine and one of the largest in the world. On the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef, it would require massive seafloor dredging and port expansion, resulting in hundreds more coal ships sailing through Reef waters. At 28,000 hectares, it would also produce 121 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions yearly at maximum production driving climate change - the greatest threat to the Reef.

David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace said it is clear that fossil fuel companies have too much power and the Coalition Government makes too many decisions that suit the interests of the fossil fuel lobby.

“Everyone else is coming a distant second to the power of the fossil fuel companies under this government.

“Whether you love our beautiful oceans and forests, or depend on a healthy Great Barrier Reef or good groundwater for your business, job or farm, you are losing out to the fossil fuel lobby under this government.

“The fossil fuel industry campaigns to weaken the environmental laws, as was the case with their Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation campaign to demolish federal environmental protections on their activities.

“Australians deserve an explanation as to how the lobbying activities of the fossil fuel industry work. No tax is paid on their political campaigns.

“They have run campaigns inconsistent with science on climate change, to prevent tax reform, and even to initiate parliamentary inquiries.

“It would be useful to understand how this lobbying leads to government subsidies for the industry.

“Australian taxpayers deserve to know what environmental wreckage occurs from fossil fuel company and lobby group donations to political parties.

“The current revolving door between government and the fossil fuel industry in relation to public servants, political staff and politicians must end.

“The Abbott Government is trying to stand over and silence Australians concerned about the environment on behalf of the fossil fuel industry.

“The fossil fuel industry conducts tax-free political campaigns to weaken environment laws and potentially wreck special places like the Great Barrier Reef.

“The government gives the fossil fuel industry special treatment. There’s the budget’s $5 billion dollar slush fund for projects that don’t have financial or public support, such as the Abbot Point dredging on the Great Barrier Reef.  

“Clearly the fossil fuel industry has too much power over the Abbott Government.

“The government simply abolished the mining tax and the carbon price because it suited the interests of their political supporters.

“It’s time we had a proper inquiry into the influence of an industry that is prepared not only to destroy places like the Great Barrier Reef but to undermine our democracy,” said Mr Ritter.  

For more information contact Siobhan Lyttle 0432 828 004

Head of Programs for Greenpeace, Emma Gibson said the fossil fuel mining industry has too much power over government when the Minister for Agriculture is powerless to stop a mine that he publicly opposes.

“Clearly the coal mining industry has more power over the Abbott Government than the Minister for Agriculture.

 “Once again, the interests of coal mining companies have trumped the interests of Australian communities. 

“Frankly, it is embarrassing that the Minister for Agriculture cannot defend the best soil for farming in the country and the Minister for the Environment can approve a mine that is clearly not in the community’s interests.

“This mine will blow a 35km square hole in the best land for growing food in Australia and will use millions of litres of precious water. 

“What’s more, it will add more pollution, increase global warming and put more pressure on Australia’s ability to grow its own food.

 “This government should be standing with farmers and environment groups to protect our futures, but instead it is protecting the interests of the fossil fuel mining industry.

“Meanwhile, the Government is seeking to blame environment groups in their current House of Representative inquiry by attacking our right to stand up to these crimes against the environment and the community.

 “The inquiry is on behalf of the fossil fuel mining industry. The attack on the environment is for the fossil fuel mining industry. And the abandoning of the interests of farmers and their communities is for the fossil fuel mining industry.

“We are demanding an inquiry into the donations paid by fossil fuel mining companies to the LNP in order to understand the type of influence that prioritises their interests over the interests of the Minister for Agriculture”, said Ms Gibson.  

For more information, contact: Siobhan Lyttle 0432 828 004

The environmental impact statement for the Queensland Government’s proposal to dredge 1.1 million cubic metres of sea-floor in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area at Abbot Point and dump the spoil on land next to the Caley Valley Wetlands was released today. The port expansion is for the ‘unbankable’ Carmichael mega mine, which lost both its federal government approval and bank advisors this month.

“Opening the EIS period now illustrates the bloody-mindedness of the Queensland and Federal governments to push ahead with the development of the Galilee coal basin at all costs,” said Greenpeace Reef Campaigner Shani Tager.

“This is an example of the government bullishly and willfully ignoring community opposition. Our environmental laws are designed to guard against such behaviour by the state. That's why Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Attorney General George Brandis are trying to gut the legislation.”

“This dredging would risk our fragile Reef for a dying coal industry.”

Queensland Treasury officials have called Carmichael ‘unbankable’, it has no financial backers after Standard Chartered and the Commonwealth Bank abandoned it and it is behind schedule. It would produce 121 million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year at full production, fueling the biggest threat to the Reef - climate change.

“Pushing forward with this proposal is entirely reckless. The Abbott Government are wanting to advance projects that threaten the Reef at the same time as trying to gut our environmental laws. We can’t afford to let the Reef be at the mercy of the Abbott Government’s attacks on the environment,” said Ms Tager.

David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace said it is clear that fossil fuel companies have too much power and the Coalition Government makes too many decisions that suit the interests of the fossil fuel lobby.

“Everyone else is coming a distant second to the power of the fossil fuel companies under this government.

“Whether you love our beautiful oceans and forests, or depend on a healthy Great Barrier Reef or good groundwater for your business, job or farm, you are losing out to the fossil fuel lobby under this government.

“The fossil fuel industry campaigns to weaken the environmental laws, as was the case with their Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation campaign to demolish federal environmental protections on their activities.

“Australians deserve an explanation as to how the lobbying activities of the fossil fuel industry work. No tax is paid on their political campaigns.

“They have run campaigns inconsistent with science on climate change, to prevent tax reform, and even to initiate parliamentary inquiries.

“It would be useful to understand how this lobbying leads to government subsidies for the industry.

“Australian taxpayers deserve to know what environmental wreckage occurs from fossil fuel company and lobby group donations to political parties.

“The current revolving door between government and the fossil fuel industry in relation to public servants, political staff and politicians must end.

“The Abbott Government is trying to stand over and silence Australians concerned about the environment on behalf of the fossil fuel industry.

“The fossil fuel industry conducts tax-free political campaigns to weaken environment laws and potentially wreck special places like the Great Barrier Reef.

“The government gives the fossil fuel industry special treatment. There’s the budget’s $5 billion dollar slush fund for projects that don’t have financial or public support, such as the Abbot Point dredging on the Great Barrier Reef.  

“Clearly the fossil fuel industry has too much power over the Abbott Government.

“The government simply abolished the mining tax and the carbon price because it suited the interests of their political supporters.

“It’s time we had a proper inquiry into the influence of an industry that is prepared not only to destroy places like the Great Barrier Reef but to undermine our democracy,” said Mr Ritter.  

For more information contact Siobhan Lyttle 0432 828 004