"Allowing shale oil is just the latest step in the Newman Government's sorry record of fast tracking dirty energy projects up and down the Reef coast, and the Federal Government is doing nothing to stop it," said Greenpeace's Queensland Campaigner Louise Matthiesson.
"We are stepping up our campaign to protect the Great Barrier Reef from coal port expansions and climate change by bringing the Rainbow Warrior to Queensland."
"Shale oil mining was halted in Queensland for very good reasons - shale oil is a highly polluting form of energy, and the industry has an appalling record of environmental and health problems" said Matthiesson.
The 60m long eco-vessel was purpose built for Greenpeace two years ago, and it carries the name of the original Rainbow Warrior which was sunk by French agents in New Zealand in 1985.
The schedule for the ship's tour is still being finalised, but it will visit several towns along the coast holding open days and putting the international spotlight on proposed coal port developments near Bowen, Mackay, Yeppoon and Gladstone.
Photos of the Rainbow Warrior are available for media use.
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For comment contact: Louise Matthiesson 0406 041 428.
Wednesday 13 Feb, 2013, Brisbane: Greenpeace has announced it is stepping up its campaign against industrial development along the Great Barrier Reef coast with the new Rainbow Warrior touring Queensland for four weeks in April.