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

“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

“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.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that the 2013 seizure and detention of Greenpeace’s Arctic Sunrise ship and its 30 crew members by Russian special forces was unlawful.

“More than ever, environmental groups are being targeted around the world for speaking out against environmental crimes. This ruling shows that governments cannot act with impunity against groups like Greenpeace, and against civil society,” said Emma Gibson, Head of Program for Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

The Greenpeace activists, including Australian crew member Colin Russell, were arrested a day after they protested against Arctic oil drilling at the Prirazlomnaya oil platform, operated by state-owned company Gazprom. The protest took place well outside Russia’s territorial waters.

“Russia is not the only country where environmentalists are being intimidated. Here at home, we are seeing a sustained attack on environment groups by the Abbott government.

“The government is trying to weaken environmental protection laws and is also holding an inquiry into the tax deductible status of environmental groups. This erosion of our democratic rights is all being done in support of the vested interests of the fossil fuel industry, and must not be allowed to take place.

“The right to peaceful protest is part of any democratic society. Thousands of Australians support Greenpeace, and it is our duty to represent their concerns about the damage being done to our environment, and this includes using the right to peaceful protest," said Ms Gibson.

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

“On first reading the news, it was hard not to think it was satire, but it clearly isn’t,” said David Ritter, CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific.

“The IPA and the Abbott government’s efforts have removed an effective mechanism to reduce carbon pollution, a policy measure supported by almost every single reputable economist and research institute across the world, and global institutions like the World Bank.

“Since its removal following the lies and smear campaign by the IPA and others, emissions have massively increased, polluters are largely free to pollute again, and Australia is further isolating itself from almost every other economy on the planet who are doing the exact opposite – and there’s a prize for that?”

“Given the IPA’s consistent claims to care so deeply for poorer nations, we are calling on them to donate the prize money in full, should they be successful, to a charity that is helping poorer nations to deal with the impact of climate change.

“We would expect the recipient to be best selected by a leader from the global development and aid sector, not the IPA, and that the transfer of those funds must be published in full on the IPA’s website,” Mr. Ritter said.

The conservative think tank is a finalist for the $US100,000 (A$142,000) so-called Templeton Freedom award, given by the US-based Atlas Network.

The Atlas Network is a neo-liberal organisation with little clarity on who fully funds its extensive work. Exposes by activists and groups like DeSmog and Greenpeace have uncovered Exxon and Phillip Morris as long time and regular donors to the organisation. Oil billionaires Charles and David Koch, who fund climate denial groups, provide enormous financial support. 

The IPA’s campaign strategy against the carbon tax – passed in 2011 and repealed by the Abbott government in 2014 – is outlined on the website of the Atlas Network, which lauds the institute’s influence in achieving this outcome.

“The website does, however, fail to mention the myriad of proven and plainly false claims and the use of ‘misleading fear tactics’ as part of their campaign, which was so strongly aligned with that of the Abbott opposition, now in government.

“They lied to the Australian people, they lied so that polluters and miners could make even more money at the expense of the Australian people and our precious environment,” said Mr. Ritter.

The Templeton Freedom award winner will be announced at the Atlas Freedom Dinner in New York on 12 November.

“If the IPA win the award, we look forward to finding out which charity they will give the money to, and the full and immediate disclosure of this on their website,” he said.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:  Andrew Bradley on +61(0)403 777 137

“Mr. Abbott seems content to ignore economic forecasts that show the coal industry is in steep structural decline. He is pushing ahead with a fairy tale that pins our future prosperity to a very unstable international coal market,” said Greenpeace campaigner, Nikola Casule.

 Mr. Abbott said yesterday that the massive Adani Carmichael coal mine was crucial to Australia’s economic future, and called on National Reform Summit attendees to back the project. 

“The government’s irresponsible stance on this mine will damage both our economy and our environment.

“To see how deeply flawed Mr. Abbott’s arguments are, you only have to look to the energy finance sector to see that the biggest power investments are now in renewable energy sources.

“Recognising the pollution caused by burning coal, our trading partners China and India are moving towards renewable energy sources and away from coal. By 2019, financial analysts expect India’s investment in solar energy to be greater than in coal generation.

“The Carmichael mine is a project that leading international banks have decided is environmentally dangerous and economically unviable, yet this government is still determined for it to go ahead. 

“The government indicated this week it may even use tax payer funds for a rail link to this mega-mine. What Mr. Abbott will not admit to Australian taxpayers is that the international demand for coal is declining rapidly.

“It is outrageous that this government would consider forking out tax payer dollars to prop up a project that the banks won’t touch.

 “This government needs to disassociate itself from the fossil fuel industry before more damage is inflicted on the Australian economy,” said Dr. Casule.

Greenpeace activists boarded the Taiwanese-flagged tuna longliner, Shuen De Ching No.888, in the high seas close to Papua New Guinea yesterday, and found it had no fishing license. The Rainbow Warrior is still tracking the ship, which remains in the same area.

“Pacific Island leaders have already prioritised and agreed to discuss sustainable fisheries management this week in Port Moresby, which we welcome. But more needs to be done urgently to bring illegal catches under control,“ said Lagi Toribau, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Global Tuna campaigner.

"This case will be a test for our leaders as it is an illegal Taiwanese vessel caught red-handed in the high seas pocket that borders three of the Pacific’s productive fishing grounds between Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, and Nauru.

“It shows the extent to which illegal fishing is out of control in the high seas, and that more needs to be done to help Pacific nations with enforcement,” Toribau said.

Toribau and other Greenpeace activists uncovered sacks containing 75 kilograms of shark fins on board the vessel which would have come from at least 42 shark carcasses. However, only three shark carcasses were reported in the ship’s log book. Under Taiwanese law and Pacific fishing rules, shark fins may not exceed 5 per cent of the weight of the shark catch, putting the vessel in clear violation of the laws.

Greenpeace reported the case to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) and neighbouring Pacific Island countries.

Greenpeace also informed Taiwan’s Fishery Agency that the ship was fishing illegally, but received no response. Greenpeace activists have since learned through the WCPFC that the Taiwan Fishery Agency retrospectively rushed through the fishing authorisation paperwork for the Shuen De Ching No.888 when Greenpeace flagged its illegal activity.

Toribau said Greenpeace is documenting the case, and is demanding that Taiwanese authorities take action against the Shuen De Ching No.888.

“The Taiwanese Government must order this illegal vessel to stop fishing and return to port immediately for a full and transparent investigation. There is a Taiwanese patrol boat in the region and this is exactly the sort of illegal activity they should be tackling,” he said.

Toribau said illegal fishing operations such as this are leading to sharp declines in tuna levels.

“What we’re witnessing right now is just the tip of the iceberg. The true extent of the Pacific tuna plunder remains hidden by vessels like this one, operating hundreds of miles from shore.

“The longline industry is chronically unregulated and poorly monitored. Overfishing is the norm, and illegal fishing adds further pressure to tuna stocks that are already in trouble,” he said.

Overfishing has pushed many species into dangerous decline, impacting on Pacific Island countries that have relied on tuna for generations. In Fiji, local fishing vessels are mothballed and workers have been laid off.

Local fisheries in Samoa, Tonga and other Pacific Island nations are also suffering. Although more than 70 per cent of the world’s tuna comes from the Pacific, only 20 per cent of that is actually caught by Pacific Island fleets.

Longliners are the most prevalent type of fishing vessel operating in this part of the Pacific Ocean, and there are more than 3,500 of the vessels currently authorised to fish in the region.

“Longline fishing is well and truly out of control,” Toribau said. “Lines covered with thousands of baited hooks and up to 170 kilometres (105 miles) long are deployed by vessels. Tuna species are the target, but other ocean creatures like sharks and turtles get caught on the lines. Every year around 300,000 sea turtles and at least 160,000 sea birds die on longlines."

The problem with longline fishing is further exacerbated because these vessels are able to transship, a process where a fishing vessel transfers its catch to a massive reefer, or mothership, at sea.

Toribau said tuna fisheries are urgently in need of effective management and control, which must include an immediate ban on transshipping at sea, and the closure of the high seas pockets, known as the Pacific Commons, to all fishing.

“If fishing boats have nothing to hide they should have no problem landing or transferring their catches in port, where the fish can be accounted for properly,” he said. “Illegal behavior has been hidden out at sea for too long. It’s time for fisheries to clean up, step up and be responsible. If they don’t, there will be no tuna left.”

ENDS

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.

“We are still tracking the Shuen De Ching No.888 and we have supplied all our information to the nations where the ship might pull into their ports, including Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Fiji.

“We think it is vital for Pacific nations to investigate this ship to show that illegal fishing will not be tolerated, particularly as the region tries to develop a sustainable fisheries industry,” said Lagi Toribau, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Global Tuna campaigner from aboard Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior ship.

The call follows a Greenpeace East Asia protest in front of the TFA headquarters in Taipei today over the agency’s move to effectively reward an illegal fishing operation. Greenpeace East Asia had reported details of the pirate operation to the TFA as soon as Greenpeace activists on the Rainbow Warrior boarded the Shuen De Ching on Wednesday and confirmed it did not have a fishing license.

Frances Lo, Greenpeace East Asia’s Taipei office campaigner, said that instead of responding, the TFA appeared to have used the information supplied by Greenpeace to retrospectively legalise the vessel and backdate the license to April.

“Greenpeace has comprehensive documentation of the case of Shuen De Ching No.888 and authorities must take action,” said Mr. Lo.

“The Taiwan Fisheries Agency ignored Greenpeace’s constructive effort and support. Instead, they chose to protect the vessel and cover up its illegal fishing. This will seriously affect Taiwan’s international reputation, and it could lead to international sanctions.

“We demand that the government orders this illegal vessel to stop fishing and return to port immediately for a full and transparent investigation.

“Although the TFA has said it will follow up on the vessel’s illegal shark finning, the reality is it may use the investigation to further delay and cover up the problem,” he said.

ENDS

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