Campbell Newman says ‘pressure’ applied to Clive Palmer since last year over refinery’s environmental threat to Great Barrier Reef

REPORT finds State ineffective in protecting Great Barrier Reef from Clive Palmer’s nickel refinery, but Campbell Newman says he applied ‘pressure’ to fix environmental threat.

Clive Palmer, Leader of the Palmer United Party and Member for Fairfax, preparing to address the National Press Club today. Picture: Ray Strange

PREMIER Campbell Newman says the government has been applying pressure to Clive Palmer to fix environmental issues at his Queensland nickel refinery since last year.

But he says it was a “great concern” that more action wasn’t taken by the company during 2013 to prevent a looming environmental threat to the Great Barrier Reef.

Mr Newman said the company was moving to rectify the problem, but should have acted faster.

“I believe what we’ve seen in recent times is the company is moving to do the right thing,” Mr Newman said.

“Having said that it is a great concern that action wasn’t taken during the progress of 2013.

“The wet season is now upon us and we have seen the first cyclone come in and that could have led to a lot of rain.

“I don’t think Mr Palmer and the nickel refinery should be relying on whether they dodge a cyclone or two. They should have done the right thing last year.”

Mr Newman was responding to a newspaper report revealing the Federal Government was warned in a government report of serious concerns about toxic sewage discharge from the refinery into the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

The Queensland Government had proven ineffective in enforcing the refinery’s water management plans, according to the report.

But Mr Newman said his government had taken action since learning of the problems.

“We came to office about two years ago, we learnt of the issues at that refinery when we came to government and Minister (Andrew) Powell has been working steadily, carefully but determinedly to ensure that Mr Palmer and the company comply with their environmental obligations to protect the Great Barrier Reef.”

He said the government was forced to juggle concerns about the future of 900 jobs at the refinery with the environmental issues.

“I make the point as well that Mr Palmer bought this refinery knowing that it came with these environmental issues and these obligations.

He got it for a very low price because of those obligations.

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