Net zero 2050: Coalition U-turn angers Central Qld mining heartland

The Queenslanders who stood down the Greens’ protests against the controversial Adani megamine say they have been “let down and lied to’’ by the Coalition’s embrace of net zero emissions by 2050.

The men and women of Central Queensland who protested Bob Brown’s anti-Adani rally say they have been “let down and lied to’’ by the Coalition’s embrace of net zero emissions by 2050.

The Clermont publican whose hotel was at the centre of the protest rally, Kel Appleton, says he won’t ever vote for either Labor of Liberal parties again.

“To all the people that supported the “Don’t Go Cold on Coal” rally and those that sponsored us in our fight for the coal industry, I apologise sincerely, we have been lied to and let down,’’ Mr Appleton wrote.

Kel Appleton, whose hotel was at the centre of the protest rally. Picture William Rollo

“I personally will never vote Labor or Liberal again. It is obvious no one cares about our industry yet happy to take its revenue.’’

Former Greens Senator Bob Brown led the anti-Adani rally up the east coast, culminating in an angry confrontation between pro Adani and anti Adani forces in Clermont in late April 2019.

The highly publicised clash played a key role in the federal Coalition winning coal seats and installing Scott Morrison as Prime Minister in the May 2019 election.

Central Queensland based LNP Senator Matt Canavan said he understood the anguish among coal mining families of central Queensland who felt betrayed by the agreement on zero emissions.

Clermont locals on Herschel Street (L-R) Peter Pavey, Jenny Pongratz, Kel Appleton, Keely McLean holding Isabella 8 months, Roger Vine, Harrison Maggs, Brodie Perry and Chris McLean were excited when the final decision on the Adani Carmichael mine was handed down. Picture Lachie Millard

“I feel their pain,’’ he said.

Senator Canavan said he would continue to speak out about their concerns regardless of the position his party took.

“I may lose a few friends down here (in Canberra) but I want to stay true to them,’’ he said.

Originally published as Net zero 2050: Coalition U-turn angers Central Qld mining heartland