Labor MP Jonty Bush attends anti-coal workshop meeting

Labor backbencher Jonty Bush has attended a workshop meeting with anti-coal groups as part of a campaign to “make a plan to stop” new mining projects in the Queensland.

Labor backbencher Jonty Bush has attended a workshop meeting with anti-coal groups to advise them on how to pitch renewable energy projects to the LNP and regional communities.

Labor backbencher Jonty Bush has attended a workshop meeting with anti-coal groups to advise them on how to pitch renewable energy projects to the LNP and regional communities.

The Queensland Conservation Council and Lock the Gate Alliance held the meeting as part of a new “Coal Watch” campaign to “make a plan to stop” new coal mining projects in the state.

Ms Bush attended the June 30 workshop meeting as a panellist alongside Greens MP Michael Berkman.

QCC Director Dave Copeman said discussions were focused on coal and gas projects with Ms Bush and Ms Berkman asked to provide their opinion on what tactics to use to engage politicians and the public - particularly regional Queenslanders - on climate change.

“It was an event about coal mines and how we campaign about climate action,” he said.

“They are two MPs with a strong record on climate action and they’re often the recipients of campaign tactics that we run so their opinions are invaluable.”

Ms Bush confirmed she advised the anti-coal groups on how to work with the LNP government to hold them to emissions targets and progress energy policy.

“Many Queenslanders are concerned that Premier David Crisafulli has so far back tracked on his election commitment on emissions targets and renewable energy,” she said.

The government has axed Labor’s 80 per cent renewables target and is set to reveal its energy road map in coming months.

Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki in April refused to say whether the government would achieve the legislated 75 per cent emissions reduction target by 2035, but said Queensland would reach net zero by 2050.

Lock the Gate and QCC say the 28 planned mine expansions across Queensland, including the BHP and Mitsubishi mines at Peak Downs and Caval Ridge, Whitehaven’s operations at Blackwater and Winchester and Glencore’s Hail Creek mine, would release 14 billion tonnes of pollution and clear 10,600 hectares of koala habitat.

Coal accounted for about 45 per cent of Queensland’s exports in the 12 months to April 2025, raking in $5.5bn in royalties.

The state government is forecast to receive $30.2bn in royalty revenue over the next four years, including $23.4bn from coal alone, with the sector employing 42,147 people.

Resources Minister Dale Last. Picture: Liam Kidston

The LNP has likened Ms Bush’s attendance to the anti-coal workshop to the 2019 federal election campaign, where Bill Shorten’s ambiguous stance on the Adani mine was undermined by inner-city Labor candidates.

Natural Resources and Mining Minister Dale Last accused Ms Bush of “siding with the Greens”.

“This is a real test for Steven Miles, he now needs to front up and make clear … he support Queensland's resource sector and the thousands of jobs it supports across Queensland?” he said.