Anthony Lynham decries lack of communication from Angus Taylor

First his speech at a conference was gatecrashed by protesters, now Mines Minister Anthony Lynham has taken a shot at the federal Energy Minister.

STATE Mines Minister Anthony Lynham has taken a dig at federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor and the Coalition Government, claiming it was difficult to work together on a “coherent” energy policy.

Asked at a mining and resources lunch in Brisbane yesterday whether he had spoken to Mr Taylor since the federal election in May, Dr Lynham said he’d sent him a text and had received a response.

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“Before that I’ve tried to contact him (Taylor) personally, but no response,” he said.

“Josh Frydenberg was (minister) before Angus Taylor, and I can tell you that the conversation with Josh Frydenberg regarding the NEG was open, it was constant, we were always on the phone together … and I have a good relationship with my federal colleagues about that.

“Those conversations (with Taylor) now have stopped.

“I want to work co-operatively with the Federal Government to make sure that I can drop energy prices here in Queensland.”

Dr Lynham said Queensland could work with other states to pursue a national energy policy despite federal “bickering”.

Adani protesters crash Mines Minister Anthony Lynham’s speech at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

Earlier, two anti-Adani protesters crashed the lunch, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Mr Lynham was addressing the lunch when the two protesters, carrying anti-Adani banners, interrupted from the crowd.

“Adani or the reef” was written on one of the banners being carried.

One of the protesters said, “Lynham is a liar” while another said, “We need to show more care”.

The debacle lasted about a minute before they were escorted out.

After they left, Dr Lynham joked about having questions he wanted to ask them.

The protest came just hours after other anti-Adani activists caused chaos in Sydney.

Anthony Lynham

Angus Taylor

Meanwhile Ross Buchanan has been appointed Queensland’s new global investment commissioner.

The Courier-Mail revealed in May the former Queensland Resources Commissioner Caoilin Chestnutt didn’t have her contract renewed.

The commissioner had sensationally described the handling of the Adani mine as a “mess” earlier this year.

At the time, a government spokesman said Ms Chestnutt was on a “short-term contract” and that it had not been renewed.

The new global investment commissioner position will now also look at global resources.

Mr Buchanan has been Queensland’s trade and investment commissioner to Japan and has worked in the resources sector.

Originally published as Anthony Lynham decries lack of communication from Angus Taylor