‘Gaslighting’ north QLD: Collinsville coal boss blasts Morrison Gov

In a shock move, the man behind a proposed Queensland coal-fired power station has lashed out at the Morrison Government for “gaslighting North Queensland”.

In a shock move, the man behind the proposed Collinsville coal-fired power station has lashed out at the Morrison Government for “gaslighting North Queensland” in a scathing statement.

He accused them of using the project as a “political chess pawn” in a quest to hold on to power.

In the lead up to the 2019 election campaign, the Morrison Government committed $3.6 million for a feasibility study into the North Queensland power station, which has been heavily backed by LNP Senator Matt Canavan, but there has been little movement since then.

Ashley Dodd, CEO of Shine Energy - the group behind the project - made a scathing comment in regards to “radio silence” from the government, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Ashley Dodd, CEO of Shine Energy, which is proposing to build a new coal-fired power station in Collinsville. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

“The Morrison Government are gaslighting North Queensland Communities with their failure to provide Shine Energy with a clear direction on the future of the Collinsville project,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the Morrison Government have continued to maintain radio silence in the election provide a clear public direction to the North Queensland communities on their stance on supporting the project and the considerable economic benefits it will deliver.”

Mr Dodd said the project would create 6800 jobs during construction, 600 ongoing jobs and would boost the regional economy by almost $2 billion.

He said he had written to Mr Morrison, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce and others as recently as March 31 seeking answers and was “gutted” by the way the company was being treated.

“Shine Energy are continuing to progress the feasibility study, however, if no further government support is announced then all efforts to develop the Collinsville project will have been in vain,” he said.

“Shine Energy and North Queensland communities demand the Morrison Government DO NOT USE their project as a political chess pawn as in the last federal election in their quest to maintain government.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the campaign trail on Thursday. Picture: Jason Edwards

In October 2021 during the net zero debate, Mr Morrison said he had “kept the faith” with the regional Queenslanders who backed the Coalition in the 2019 election, though played down the chances of the Collinsville coal-fired power station going ahead.

“Any investments that people wish to make, they have to meet the necessary planning and other regulatory approvals for them to go ahead … If they stack up, they stack up,” Mr Morrison said at the time.

At the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce gave a stronger backing to the project.

“I do support coal-fired power … I would be happy for Collinsville to go ahead, yes, absolutely,” he said.

Labor and the Greens have previously sought to use a disallowance motion in the Senate to oppose funding the feasibility study for Collinsville.

A government spokesman said they were delivering on the commitment to undertake a feasibility study.

“Shine Energy is making progress on the study in accordance with milestones of the grant agreement,” he said.

“We remain committed to working with Shine, with delivery of the completed study expected later this year.”

Opposition North Queensland and Resources spokesman Murray Watt said the Collinsville feasibility study had been a “fake promise”.

“Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce sold Queenslanders snake oil by promising a new coal-fired power station. It was always a lie, and that’s becoming clearer by the day,” he said.

“After setting up a fake promise to get them through an election, Morrison and Joyce have abandoned Shine Energy, just like they’ve abandoned bushfire victims, flood victims and so many more.

“When Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce lie, Queenslanders lose. You can’t possibly believe a single promise they make.”

Originally published as ‘Gaslighting’ north QLD: Collinsville coal boss blasts Morrison Gov