Adani coal mine protest from Hobart tipped to be as big as the Franklin, says Bob Brown

Veteran environmentalist Bob Brown is expecting thousands to take part in a protesting convoy planned to start from Hobart to the site of Australia’s most controversial mine.

THOUSANDS of people are expected to take part in a convoy of protesters travelling from Hobart to Central Queensland if the Adani coal mine is approved.

Veteran environmentalist Bob Brown already has hundreds signed up to the “peaceful protest convey”, which he launched Wednesday.

The seasoned campaigner said the convoy of vehicles would be one of the biggest shows of civil action in the lead-up to a federal election – with numbers and support not seen since the blockade that put a stop to the Franklin Dam in 1983.

“Already 800 people have signed up to this before we even announce it publicly – it’s going to have thousands of people involved,” Mr Brown said.

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The convoy, which would be led be a fleet of electric cars, is planned to travelling from Hobart, through Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane – with public rallies in the capitals.

It will then head to the Galilee Basin, Central Queensland, where a large gathering is planned next to the site of Adani’s proposed coal mine.

“We expect it to be a peaceful protest and people will be law abiding,” Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown said public meetings around Australia had already gathered support for the action, with people of all ages and political backgrounds wanting to take part. He said he had already sought permission from traditional owners.

Bob Brown in Hobart who has announced the planned Stop Adani Convoy, which will include the use of electric vehicles. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK.

“Unless the mine is stopped we are going ahead in mid-April,” he said.

Mr Brown said the convoy would proceed to Canberra from Queensland, to focus attention on the issue in the lead-up to the federal election.

“It will focus attention of political candidates and the next government on the fact people want action on climate change and real action starts with stopping Adani and ending coal mining.”

He said coal mines were “bad for humanity bad for our children bad for our grandchildren bad for life on earth”, and the issue was gaining wide public concern “in this age of destructive floods, horrendous bushfires, worse storms, sea level rising and drought in the Murray-Darling Basin.”

“Our aim is to have political parties and candidates commit to stopping the mine using the power the Australian electorate gives them. This is a vote-galvanising environmental issue like no other since the Franklin Dam controversy in the run up to the 1983 election. It is going to be huge.”

Australian Electric Vehicle association vice president Clive Attwater said he expected many owners of electric vehicles to be part of the convoy.

“We are supporting this move because we think we need to leave the coals in the ground,” Mr Attwater said.

“We need to move away from coal and create a better future.”

He said the jobs created by the Adani coalmine could be more than offset by the number of jobs created in the renewable energy sector, including electric cars.

Mr Brown said the e-cars would lead the convoy, but he realised most of those taking part would not be.

“The majority of cars are going to be whatever people can drive,” he said.

Mr Brown said he was “well aware” that the convoy could attract criticism for burning fossil fuels – but action was needed.

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Originally published as Adani coal mine protest from Hobart tipped to be as big as the Franklin, says Bob Brown