Galilee Coal Basin: Newman's Fire-sale on the Climate

MEDIA RELEASE Thursday 7th of November, 2013

At today's Major Project Conference, Newman has announced a fire-sale on the climate and the Great Barrier Reef according to environment group Friends of the Earth Brisbane.

Campbell Newman announced at the Major Projects Conference in Brisbane this morning that the Government would negotiate discounted royalties with the first mining companies in the Galilee basin, effectively subsidising their costs.

The global coal industry is in decline, and with BHP pulling out of Abbot Point coal port this week, it's not clear why Newman is interfering in the market in this case.

“Newman is propping up an unethical and unsustainable industry" said spokesperson Bradley Smith. "He should be subsidising solar, not coal".

"He's doing everything the coal industry wants to get these projects up, but is recklessly jeopardising the climate and the reef,” said spokesperson Bradley Smith.

"Digging up the Galilee Basin coal is the last thing our planet needs. The coal will be exported along with the profits, leaving Queensland with nothing but a big hole,” said Bradley Smith.

Planned mines in the Galilee Coal Basin would extract a combined 302 million tonnes of coal pollution each year on Government numbers, a carbon dioxide contribution of about 700 million tonnes, far in excess of Australia's domestic emissions.

“The heat-waves, fires and floods are getting worse, and the Galilee basin coal would push the climate even further into dangerous territory.”

For more information, visit www.sixdegrees.org.au

-ENDS-

For interview and photo opportunities, please contact Bradley Smith, Media Spokesperson, ph: 0413 280 006, email: [email protected]