New Acland approvals debate enters federal by-election arena

One Groom candidate has come out calling for the mine expansion not to go ahead, while a candidate who has been vocal about the mine in the past has remained quiet.

Figures at the New Hope Group Acland Coal Mine north of Oakey representing workers who could lose their jobs.

A candidate for the Groom by-election has called on the stage three expansion of the New Acland Coal Mine not to go ahead.

Sustainable Australia Party candidate Sandra Jephcott, a Queensland veterinarian and farmer, told a Toowoomba for Climate Action forum on Wednesday night the party advocated for a moratorium on new coal mines and coal mine expansions as part of Australia’s action plan to address climate change.

“If we are to transition to a sustainable society, we need to stop growth in both natural resource consumption and population and start to live within environmental limits,” Ms Jephcott said.

Liberal Democrats candidate Craig Farquharson said the party supported market forces and projects that supported jobs.

“At this point, until there is a good viable alternative (for jobs) ready to go, what other choices do we have,” he said.

ALP candidate Chris Meibusch said New Acland approvals were a state issue and it would not be appropriate for a federal candidate to offer an opinion.

LNP candidate Garth Hamilton did not attend the forum but responded to questions raised at the forum in writing.

“Acland stage three is a very important project for our region to create local jobs and boost our local economy,” he said.

Toowoomba for Climate Action’s Nadia Emblen said the group was pleased with how the forum ran.

“The event was to allow our members to listen and make their own informed decision ahead of the by-election,” she said.