‘It’s up to them’: Scott Morrison all but rules out cash for Collinsville

Despite promising $3.3 million in the lead up to the 2019 election to complete a feasibility study for a controversial Queensland coal-fired power station, the Prime Minister has all but ruled out providing more federal funds.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has all but ruled out more federal funds for the Collinsville coal-fired power station after he declared the government had met its commitments and the rest was up to the proponent.

The Coalition promised it $3.3 million in the lead up to the 2019 election to complete a feasibility study, but there has been little movement since.

Shine Energy CEO Ashley Dodd, beyond the Collinsville proposal, has taken several swipes at the Coalition in recent weeks accusing them of “gaslighting north Queensland” by giving no certainty to the project.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: Jason Edwards

Mr Morrison said the government had followed through with its election promise to fund the feasibility case, but would give no further commitments.

“What happens to the project is up to the proponents, we’ve made every commitment we made to that project that I outlined at the last election,” he said.

“What I’m saying is we have met every commitment that I pledged to do at the last election in relation to that project. Every single commitment that we gave, we met.”

Mr Dodd has said the project would create 6800 jobs during construction, 600 ongoing jobs and would boost the regional economy by almost $2 billion, but needed further assistance to finalise its case.

Shine Energy CEO Ashley Dodd. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

“Shine Energy are continuing to progress the feasibility study, however, if no further government support is announced then all efforts to develop the Collinsville project will have been in vain,” he said earlier this month.

Opposition North Queensland and Resources spokesman Murray Watt said the Collinsville feasibility study had been a “fake promise”.