New poll: Reef and coal key concerns for outback Queensland

Brisbane, 29 January 2015: As regional candidates Lawrence Springborg, Fiona Simpson and Jeff Seeney look increasingly likely to be leading the state after Saturday’s election, a new poll shows that the future of the Great Barrier Reef is a key concern for regional Queensland.

Last night, a ReachTEL poll of Jeff Seeney’s seat of Callide commissioned by Greenpeace showed that over 70% of voters are concerned about the impact of coal ports and developments on the Great Barrier Reef. 

“The LNP have been treating concerns about the Great Barrier Reef as a leftie beat-up coming out of Brisbane, but this new poll shows that the LNP’s own heartland is deeply worried about the Reef and coal,” said Greenpeace Reef campaigner Shani Tager. “We’re talking about a conservative electorate – of overwhelmingly LNP and PUP voters – yet over 70% are concerned about the impact of coal ports and developments on the Reef.”

“Queenslanders know how lucky we are to have the Great Barrier Reef on our doorstep and we’re seeing concern from inner-city Brisbane to Taroom about the impacts of coal ports.” 

“Saving the Reef from coal is something that transcends party politics.”

 “It’s time for Jeff Seeney and the LNP to listen to their electorates’ concerns about the Great Barrier Reef, go back to the drawing board on their policies for the Reef and put an end to the reckless expansion of the Abbot Point coal port,” said Ms. Tager.

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