Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has rejected Clive Palmer’s proposed climate-wrecking Central Queensland Mine, citing its unacceptable danger to the Great Barrier Reef and the environment.
Quotes attributable to Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie:
“Today’s landmark decision by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek puts a nail in the coffin of this polluting, reef-killing mine and is something to celebrate,” Amanda McKenzie, CEO at Climate Council said.
“This mine – had it gone ahead – would have been an ecological and climate disaster, responsible over its lifetime for 130 million tonnes of C02 being spewed into the atmosphere. That’s just under a third of Australia’s annual emissions.
“Clive Palmer’s Central Queensland coal mine is just one of many incredibly concerning developments in Australia. This decision sets a precedent, the government can and should block new coal and gas projects as they are polluting and destructive. Instead there are plenty of clean, affordable alternatives in solar, wind and batteries.
“The fact is there can be no new coal and gas projects if we are going to keep global warming within the safe limits. And there are still 29 more coal proposals to tackle.
“Today’s news is fantastic but we’d like to see it go a step further. Minister Plibersek to ensure that the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act takes into account the climate impacts and emissions of new projects.”
