Press release – 14 November, 2013Brisbane, 15 November 2013: Greenpeace is calling on Environment Minister Greg Hunt to rule out allowing Adani to develop its T0 coal terminal in the sensitive Great Barrier Reef and their mega coal mine in the Galilee Basin after new revelations that the company is being investigated by Hunt’s department on the basis of “damning documents” about its activities in India.Documents from India that are being reviewed by the Federal Environment Department show the Adani Group has a record of violating environmental conditions, illegal activity and destroying natural places.
These fresh claims about Adani’s record come after ABC’s 7:30 Report revealed two members of the board of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority have direct links with coal and gas companies.
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We already know Adani doesn’t play by the rules in India, now they are being investigated for breaching environmental conditions at Abbot Point port. This looks like a pattern of behaviour for a company that will cut corners to make a quick buck,” said Louise Matthiesson, Queensland Community Campaigner at Greenpeace.
Adani
has admitted
to breaching multiple environmental conditions during the expansion of their existing terminal at Abbot Point, T1.
The other front-runner to build a new coal terminal at Abbot Point, GVK-Hancock, is also being investigated by Hunt’s Department for allegedly providing false and misleading information to obtain approval of their 60 million tonne per year T3 coal terminal.
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There is a real stink developing around Abbot Point, with companies that can’t play by the rules, conflicts of interest on the board of the Marine Park Authority and the Queensland Government hell bent on fast-tracking development at any cost.”
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It’s time for Greg Hunt to step in on behalf of Queenslanders and show that Australia has standards for the companies that operate here and we won’t allow cowboy operators who don’t follow the rules,” concluded Ms Matthiesson.
For more information, contact:
Louise Matthiesson, Queensland Community Campaigner,
0406 041 428