Premier open to mining loans, just not Adani

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has confirmed her Government is open to considering other loan applications from miners wanting to start projects in the Galilee basin, so long as it is not Adani.

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has confirmed her Government is open to considering other Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility loan applications from miners wanting to start projects in the Galilee basin, so long as it is not Adani.

“Any NAIF proposal will be given proper consideration and assessed on its merits by the Queensland Government,” Ms Palaszczuk said in answer to a Question on Notice from Greens MP Michael Berkman over whether other Galilee basin applications would be considered.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said other NAIF applications would be considered. Picture: AAP/Josh Woning

“The Queensland Government is investing significantly in infrastructure across North Queensland.

“I am advised by my Director-General that the Queensland Government is not aware of any other active NAIF proposals relating to mining development in the Galilee Basin.”

Ms Palaszczuk, has previously said other applications would be considered on their merit after announcing during the 2017 election campaign that she would be vetoing Adani’s application over a conflict of interest involving her former partner Shaun Drabsch.

Mr Berkman described Ms Palaszczuk’s response to his question as both “terrifying and disappointing”.

“Adani or no Adani, the Galilee must be protected from any new mining proposals. That coal must stay in the ground,” he said.

Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive officer Kelly O’Shanassy also criticised Ms Palaszczuk’s response.

“Whether public money is spent on Adani digging up coal in the Galilee, or another company digging up coal the effect is the same,” she said.

“ It will supercharge climate change, contribute to the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef, and threaten Queensland’s precious groundwater.

“Leaving the door open to use taxpayer money to fund coal mines raises a serious problem: there is no door. There is no financial case for new coal mines. None of Australia’s major banks will touch them and the Australian public does not want its governments to fund them either.”

Mines Minister Anthony Lynham issued a statement backing Ms Palaszczuk.

“The Palaszczuk Government has maintained its election commitment to veto any NAIF loan for the Adani Carmichael Coal Project,” he wrote.

“The Queensland Government is not aware of any other active NAIF proposals relating to mining development in the Galilee Basin.”