Newman says he'll halt mining in Rim

A PROPOSAL by LNP leader Campbell Newman to ban coal mining and coal seam gas in the Scenic Rim has been met with derision by the State Government.

Liberal National Party leader Campbell Newman with Boonah LNP candidate Jon Krause in the main street of Boonah yesterday. . Picture: Geoff Egan

AN LNP proposal to ban coal mining and coal seam gas in the Scenic Rim has been met with derision by the State Government.

LNP leader Campbell Newman and party candidate for Boonah Jon Krause announced the policy in the Scenic Rim yesterday.

Mr Newman said an LNP government would not allow energy industries to establish themselves in areas "deemed to be inappropriate."

"We want to preserve the unique character of the Scenic Rim. It has traditionally been home to vibrant regional communities, excellent farmland for fresh vegetable production and unrivalled national parks," he said.

"Our position is that it's inappropriate here full stop."

However, Minister for Mining Stirling Hinchcliffe said the policy would lead Queensland into financial ruin, calling it a "slap in the face of Queensland job seekers".

"On the one hand, the LNP leader wants to put the resources industry on hold for two years while he comes up with a policy, and on the other hand he wants to fast track planning in resource-rich regions. How can you fast track something if you put it on hold?" he said.

Mr Hinchcliffe said Mr Newman's Scenic Rim policy was purely designed at attacking Katter's Australian Party candidates.

"He's putting the resources industry at risk in order to sandbag LNP seats against Katter candidates such as Aidan McLindon," he said.

"Queensland has some of the toughest rules in the world when it comes to protecting the environment, and because of that you're not going to see large scale development in the Scenic Rim."

Incumbent Boonah MP Aidan McLindon said residents couldn't trust the LNP to deliver on their promises.

"Mr Newman is now deceitfully pretending to protect the Scenic Rim, yet the fine print on his own policy clearly states that the LNP will plan for coal seam gas developments in the region," he said.

"Under Newman's dictatorship, the LNP has even shut down debate within the ranks of its elected members."

Originally published as Newman says he'll halt mining in Rim