Resources expert’s contract not renewed after criticism of Adani approval process

State Development Minister Cameron Dick has taken an indirect swipe at Adani while spruiking the $1 billion Olive Downs coal mine in the Bowen Basin. 

STATE Development Minister Cameron Dick has taken an indirect swipe at Adani while spruiking the $1 billion Olive Downs coal mine in the Bowen Basin. 

 

"Not a single negative submission was made about the mine (Olive Downs)," he said.

"Good projects that stack up will be approved in our state."

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It comes after the Government yesterday announced it had approved the mine's environmental impact statement .

This is despite only requiring minor adjustments to its assessment of the area’s black-throated finch population, which is now plaguing the Adani Carmichael coal mine.

EARLIER A Palaszczuk Government resources expert who described the Adani mine approval process as a “mess” has not had her contract renewed.

Queensland Resources Investment Commissioner Caoilin Chestnutt. Picture: Supplied

Queensland’s Resources Investment Commissioner Caoilin Chestnutt made the sensational claims while in India in February, warning that the Government’s controversial review of the mine’s black-throated finch management plan could force the Indian miner “back to the drawing board”. A Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Department spokesman last night confirmed Ms Chestnutt’s “short term contract”, which wraps up next week, had not been renewed.

The Commissioner, who’d worked for Arrow Energy, JB Mining Services and Anglo America, was appointed to the international role late last year.

Her comments made international headlines, forcing the Palaszczuk Government to defend its handling of the project.

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It comes as the Government faces further pressure to rule out a hike in royalties when Treasurer Jackie Trad hands down her Budget next month with powerful union the CFMMEU weighing in.

CFMMEU Mining and Energy Division Queensland District president Stephen Smyth issued a joint statement with Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane warning the Government any such move would threaten job security in the state’s mining communities.

“Unemployment in Queensland is rising. The resources industry , particularly coal, has been creating jobs and paying record royalties to the Government ,” Mr Macfarlane and Mr Smyth wrote.

“The Palaszczuk Government will receive more than $5 billion in resource royalties this financial year. That’s a record Budget contribution from our industry.

“The Queensland Government should give those mine workers, their families and their communities a commitment that it supports the industry and that it rules out increasing taxes and royalties that hurt the industry and force it to review planned investments and employment.”

Originally published as Resources expert’s contract not renewed after criticism of Adani approval process

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