Pro-Adani protesters take on the Greens convoy

Hundreds of pro-Adani protesters have clashed with Bob Brown’s Greens convoy in Mackay today, with up to 700 people braving heavy rain to lend support to the coal mine.

A PRO-ADANI mining rally in Mackay today has dwarfed the Greens convoy opposing the project as up to 700 people braved sometimes heavy rain to lend support to the controversial coal mine which has become central to the federal election campaign.

The crowd at the protest. Picture: supplied

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The rally at the Mackay City Council grounds was attended by mining magnate Clive Palmer who donned a “Go Galilee Basin’’ T-shirt and joined protesters in favour of the mine.

A mere 100m away members of the Greens convoy, which has travelled up the eastern seaboard, held a protest against the mine.

There were some angry exchanges between protesters and one heated argument but no violence as scores of police prowled the grounds.

Resource Industry Network which helped organise the Mackay rally said Adani was no one-off issue, but symbolic of the future of the entire region.

Mick Crowe addresses activists and protesters at Mackay as the two groups prepare to face off.

An RIN director, Mark Walter, said he had been on several trips to India, which will receive the Adani coal, and found numerous places still had no electrical power.

“We have some of the best coal in the world to fuel Indian power stations,’’ he said.

“And it is low emissions coal, the best coal to help protect the environment, it just doesn’t make sense to stop this project.’’

Mr Palmer, who played a low-key role at the rally and did not address the crowd, privately congratulated Mr Walter:

“You are doing a great job for Australia.’’ he said. “It’s time we all took a stand.’’

Clive Palmer takes part in the march. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson told the crowd that coal accounted for around 60 per cent of the local economy.

Mackay City Council councillor Martin Bella, with an expertise in primary industry, fired up the protesters, saying the Green convoy represented an urban elite which rejected both mining, agriculture and fishing and had lost touch with economic realities.

“They have forgotten what it is like to have to battle,’’ Mr Bella said.

“They have forgotten what it is like to have their families go without.’’

Margaret McPherson, Lyn Kenny and Graham Jenner arrived at the Stop Adani Convoy event early to show their support for the mining sector. Picture: supplied

Green leader Bob Brown said he had received numerous good wishes from locals in communities along the coast as the convoy made its way north.

He said his position was not to attack coal miners but to support the protection of the environment generally and the Great Barrier Reef specifically.

He said the Greens convoy represented “courageous people standing up for the future of the planet.’’

Mr Brown also said the Adani supporters who heckled him when he spoke were part of the democratic process.

“Good on em,” he said.

Both the Greens convoy and the pro-Adani protesters are now headed to Clermont west of Mackay where rallies will take place both this afternoon and tomorrow.

Yeppoon-based LNP Senator Matt Canavan, who has been strongly supportive of the mine, said up to 1000 pro Adani supporters were now expected to attend the Clermont rally this afternoon.

“These protests are community based, they have just grown organically over the past week,’’ he said.