Leaders sign pledge to support Adani

ADANI’S Carmichael coal mine would unlock “the largest proposed coal basin” in the world, potentially paving the way for more than a dozen mines proposed in the area.

Cathy O'Toole, Member for Herbert: Shae Beplate.

ADANI’S Carmichael coal mine would unlock “the largest proposed coal basin” in the world, potentially paving the way for more than a dozen mines proposed in the area.

Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis director Tim Buckley, during a public hearing for a proposed anti-coal bill, said Adani would enable the development of “the entire Galilee” because the rail and port infrastructure created were imperative to other mines.

“We are not talking about a narrow little part of Queensland. I am not. I am talking about nine of the biggest projects in thermal coal in the world proposed for development that are not yet enabled,” he said.

A proposed bill to prevent mining in the Galilee Basin, put forward by Greens MP Michael Berkman, was on Thursday rejected by a State Government parliamentary committee.

An Adani spokeswoman welcomed the rejection of the bill.

“This recommendation reinforces the tremendous economic benefit and opportunity that the Galilee Basin’s resources will contribute to Queensland’s economy and employment in regional Queensland,” she said.

Townsville Enterprise chairman Kevin Gill said the recent bills, in both the State and Federal parliaments, put forward by The Greens would have “significantly detrimental impacts not only on the economic future of regional Queensland, but in particular the current state of North Queensland”.

“Resources are an important part of our local, state and national economy and the opening of the Galilee Basin after a long and tested environmental approval process will turbocharge jobs, business and confidence for us all — especially North Queensland,” he said.

“Across this Federal Election campaign, we are advocating strongly for our resources sector as it is critical to getting our community back on its feet.

“The Galilee Basin is key to our economic future which is why we have publicly called on all local political representatives to commit to the future of mining.”

Business leaders in Townsville, Mackay, and Rockhampton banded together to call on all elected representatives and political candidates to step up for the region and make clear their position on mining in the Galilee Basin.

Politicians have until April 26 to sign the pledge.

Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole said she received the letter and signed it “within seconds”.

“I am fed up with the southeast corner and the green leafy suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne, telling people in the north what we can and can’t have,” she said.

“We need processes that are transparent, that flow, and don’t take year to deliver, that is why I have signed this pledge.

“[People] who have no experience living in a city that has an unemployment rate that is almost the double the national average should stay out of our business, we need jobs here, particularly for our young people.”

LNP candidate for Herbert Phil Thompson said he had also pledged his support.

“Of course I support Adani, of course I support opening up the Galilee Basin, I’ve been advocating for the resources sector since the day I was preselected,” he said.

“I wear a ‘Start Adani’ shirt, I’m wearing it right now.”

KAP candidate for Herbert Nanette Radeck said she also signed it as soon as she received the letter.

Mayor Jenny Hill has pledged her support.

Greens candidate for Herbert Sam Blackadder said he would not be signing the pledge.

“We are not against mining but we are against new thermal coal mines,” he said.

Mr Blackadder said most of the jobs at the Carmichael Mine would be fully automated.

The Federal Government’s leading economist has previously stated that if six major projects proposed for the Galilee Basin went ahead, 13,900 jobs would be created during construction and 12,803 more ongoing operation jobs.

The Queensland Resources Council said the economic benefits would not be limited to regional Queensland.

“The royalty taxes from developing the Galilee Basin will support Queensland Government services,” chief executive Ian Macfarlane said.

“Even if only one quarter of the coal capacity in the Galilee is developed, QRC estimates the royalty taxes paid to the Queensland Government would reach approximately $220 million each year.

“At today’s rates, that could pay the annual salaries of over 3,100 teachers, police constables or registered nurses.”

Originally published as Leaders sign pledge to support Adani