MEDIA RELEASE: ADANI MUST NOT AVOID SCRUTINY

Federal Labor is alarmed by reports today claiming that Adani plans to dodge proper approvals to pump water in Queensland for its Carmichael mine project. 

The approvals process is there for a reason and Adani must not avoid scrutiny. Malcolm Turnbull and the Minister for the Environment must ensure that environmental assessment is done thoroughly and rigorously. 

These parts of Queensland are already heavily affected by drought so for the Federal Government to allow the removal of more water without scrutiny is absurd. It’s the Turnbull Government's responsibility to protect the water of already drought devastated farmers.

The water trigger applies when the water is related to the mine and when the coal mine is large.

Is Adani arguing that the use of this water is completely unrelated to the fact that they want to dig a mine or that this particular mine is not large? Or are they claiming that they are now engaged in a completely different business?

Adani cannot evade the scrutiny of the expert independent scientific committee and the Minister for the Environment should not be facilitating an opportunity for Adani to avoid scientific scrutiny on its use of water.

WEDNESDAY, 13 JUNE 2018