Shorten keeps Adani review open

Bill Shorten has refused to rule out reviewing the environmental approvals of the Adani coalmine.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in Townsville yesterday. Picture: Kym Smith

Bill Shorten has refused to rule out reviewing the environmental ­approvals of the Adani coalmine, putting him at odds with Labor MPs and candidates in regional Queensland who are pressuring the Palaszczuk government to give the project the green light.

In his first full day of campaigning in regional Queensland, where Labor’s division on the project is costing it support in marginal seats, the Opposition Leader said he had “no plans” to review the federal environmental approvals of the mine.

But he repeatedly refused to rule out investigating why Environment Minister Melissa Price approved the controversial coalmine just two days before the election was called amid pressure from government MPs in Queensland.

Mr Shorten put the fate of the mine back in the hands of the Queensland Labor government, which has not checked off the state environmental approvals.

“The process is not concluded with the Queensland government. So the ball is really in the Queensland government’s court,” he said.

Mr Shorten would not say whether he wanted the mine to go ahead. “What I want is not going to make a difference,” he said.

The move comes despite regional Labor MPs and candidates in seats impacted by the project — Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole, Capricornia candidate Russell Robertson, Flynn candidate Zac Beers and Dawson candidate Belinda Hassan — having all signed ­pledges of support for the project in the Galilee Basin.

Ms O’Toole, whose seat takes in the city of Townsville, which is struggling with high unemployment, yesterday attacked state Labor MPs for failing to sign pledges of support for the project.

“I demand that the state members and all candidates show their commitment to the community by signing the pledge,” Ms O’Toole told the Townsville Bulletin.

“I think it’s really important for people in Townsville to know that their local members are a strong voice and will stand up for their community.

“The statistics are there — we are almost double the national unemployment average, our youth unemployment is over 17 per cent, one in five young people in this city doesn’t have a job; when is it enough?”

Ms O’Toole refused The Australian’s request for an interview, as did Leichhardt candidate Elida Faith.

Labor strategists have conceded the Adani saga is costing Mr Shorten support in regional Queensland, where there are four seats the Coalition holds on a margin of less than 5 per cent: Capricornia, Flynn, Dawson and Leichhardt.

Mr Shorten used his visit to Cairns yesterday to promote Labor’s agenda for creating jobs outside the coal industry, including through a $200 million tourism package for the regions.

“Labor is not putting all its eggs in the Adani basket. If it stacks up, it stacks up,” he said. “Labor is outlining $6 billion of infrastructure projects which will create 24,000 jobs right across Queensland.”

Resources Minister Matt Canavan accused Mr Shorten of ­attempting to cultivate Greens preferences.

“The Labor Party has got to ... decide whether they support jobs in our fossil fuel industries or whether they are going to take the votes and preferences off the Greens,” Senator Canavan said.