Support jobs or risk losing regions

Bill Shorten has a clear choice on Adani

It took Bill Ludwig, a real Labor man, to bell the Adani cat (“Shorten ally flays ‘lefties’ over Adani”, 20/2). Not all that far from Adani are seven other coalmines, ensuring large exports for Australia. Yet Adani, a global energy company with two solar farms in Australia, is having its coalmine delayed by a seemingly racist state Government. This same Government is happy to take huge royalties from mining companies, but wants to stop millions of Indians being lifted out of poverty by the best and cleanest coal in the world. Queensland Treasurer Jackie Trad seems more concerned about the Green activist preferences she gets to retain her seat of South Brisbane than the unemployment rate of 8.81 per cent in North Queensland, where they need the Adani mine and a chance of a job.

Derrick Austin,
Currumbin Waters, Qld

Steven Smyth of the CFMEU, supported by Bill Ludwig of the Australian Workers Union, should be congratulated for demanding that all Queensland Labor MPs and candidates sign a pledge supporting Adani and the coal industry. Three questions: why has it taken so long? Why is the demand to sign a pledge limited to Queensland MPs and candidates? As a member of the ALP for the past 36 years and a resident of NSW, I want to be certain the Labor candidate in the seat of Reid is totally committed to supporting the development of the Galilee Basin before I cast my vote in May. And where is the broader union movement support for Smyth’s stance? I see no evidence of traditional labour movement solidarity on this issue from the likes of Sally McManus or former leaders such as Ged Kearney. Their silence is shameful.

Mitch McDonald, Abbotsford, NSW

Bill Shorten faces a conundrum over the Adani coalmine. The CFMEU, one of Labor’s biggest donors, wants the Opposition Leader to direct Labor’s federal election candidates in Queensland to pledge their support for the Adani coalmine and the other five mining projects planned for the Galilee Basin, or face a campaign backlash by the union in the lead-up to the election.

On the other hand, GetUp is vehemently opposed to Adani and the coal industry. Shorten was a founding board member of GetUp and Sam McLean, formerly GetUp’s national director, has since served as an adviser to Shorten. GetUp campaigned strongly for Labor in the 2016 federal election, even putting Labor first on its how-to-vote cards. Shorten will be loath to antagonise this left-wing extremist group.

So what does the man who wants to be prime minister do? Shorten has two choices: he can put jobs in regional Queensland, the state's economic prosperity and the nation's best interests first, or he can turn his back on Australia to keep GetUp happy. Shorten had better make up his mind quickly, because GetUp's how-to-vote cards are sure to be ready to roll off the printer's press soon.

Dale Ellis, Innisfail, Qld

The headline “ALP elder flays lefties over Adani” promises much but delivers little. The ALP elder who has done the “flaying” is revealed as Bill Ludwig. Anyone who knew Ludwig in the old days would never describe this gentle rebuke to the state Labor government as a “flaying”. Maybe he has mellowed with age, but when he was in his prime, his displeasure was certain to focus the attention and tighten the sphincter of any transgressor.

Frank Pulsford, Aspley, Qld

The Adani mine, and by extension the Galilee Basin, should go ahead and there are emissions-positive reasons the Greens and the ALP should support it. By allowing the mine, millions of Indians will have access to new, cheap, reliable high-efficiency, low-emission (HELE) coal-fired power that will lead to a reduction in emissions by reducing the burning of wood and dung for heating and cooking. Surely this a win for the environment and the planet.

Karl Krajewski, Balnagowan, Qld

Bill Shorten has been able to fly under the political radar over the past few years. On so many issues he had sat on the fence or fallen to the Left. Border security issues and the Adani saga have left him hopelessly positioned. To please everyone within his realm of interest he is now on the verge of pleasing no one. Labor insiders and strategists would be really worried at the moment.

Peter D. Surkitt, Sandringham, Vic