MEDIA RELEASE: THE ENVIRONMENT MINISTER NEEDS TO ACT ON ADANI

Labor is alarmed at news today that the Adani Carmichael project has allegedly breached environmental approval conditions by sinking six dewatering bores, clearing vegetation and undertaking roadworks.
 
The action by the Queensland Government to investigate the potential breach is the responsible thing to do.
 
When Former Environment Minister Greg Hunt approved the mine he said that “The rigorous conditions will protect threatened species and provide long-term benefits for the environment through the development of an offset package. These measures must be approved by myself before mining can start.” Some of these conditions were for plans to be written and reviewed before certain actions were taken.
 
Environmental conditions are critical to maintaining the integrity of an approval. If they have been ignored it is a serious matter.
 
Adani commencing projects prior to approvals would be a contradiction of condition 7 of the EPBC Act approvals.
 
Labor is calling on the Environment Minister to step in, show some strong leadership on this issue and launch an immediate investigation.
 
We have already seen the Federal Government refuse to investigate the dumping of coal laden water into the Caley Valley wetlands. This is an important test for the new Environment Minister to see if Minister Price will adopt the same culture of neglect that was commenced under Minister Frydenberg.
 
This Abbott Turnbull Morrison Government need to carefully consider the actions they take now and how it will impact the environment in the future. With so much of eastern Australia drought declared, the Government must reassure Australians that this project won’t have unacceptable negative impacts on our precious water resources
 
As with all projects, Adani must be held to account every step of the way.
 
Only a Shorten Labor Government will take proper care of our environment.
 
WEDNESDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2018