Press release – 9 July, 2015Greenpeace has renewed its call for an inquiry into the relationship between fossil fuel mining companies and the LNP after the approval of the Shenhua coalmine in the Liverpool Plains despite the opposition of Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce.Head of Programs for Greenpeace, Emma Gibson said the fossil fuel mining industry has too much power over government when the Minister for Agriculture is powerless to stop a mine that he publicly opposes.
“Clearly the coal mining industry has more power over the Abbott Government than the Minister for Agriculture.
“Once again, the interests of coal mining companies have trumped the interests of Australian communities.
“Frankly, it is embarrassing that the Minister for Agriculture cannot defend the best soil for farming in the country and the Minister for the Environment can approve a mine that is clearly not in the community’s interests.
“This mine will blow a 35km square hole in the best land for growing food in Australia and will use millions of litres of precious water.
“What’s more, it will add more pollution, increase global warming and put more pressure on Australia’s ability to grow its own food.
“This government should be standing with farmers and environment groups to protect our futures, but instead it is protecting the interests of the fossil fuel mining industry.
“Meanwhile, the Government is seeking to blame environment groups in their current House of Representative inquiry by attacking our right to stand up to these crimes against the environment and the community.
“The inquiry is on behalf of the fossil fuel mining industry. The attack on the environment is for the fossil fuel mining industry. And the abandoning of the interests of farmers and their communities is for the fossil fuel mining industry.
“We are demanding an inquiry into the donations paid by fossil fuel mining companies to the LNP in order to understand the type of influence that prioritises their interests over the interests of the Minister for Agriculture”, said Ms Gibson.
For more information, contact: Siobhan Lyttle 0432 828 004