The Australian Federal Government, through Greg Hunt MP, Minister for the Environment, recently gave federal approval for Adani's proposed Carmichael Coal Mine in the Galilee Basin in Central Queensland. The Mackay Conservation Group engaged the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) to challenge the approval in court.
The court overturned the Minister's decision because it failed to take into account two Approved Conservation Advices for two
nationally threatened species that will be significantly impacted by the mine –
the Yakka Skink and the Ornamental Snake.
TheMackay Conservation Group also had concerns about the carbon emissions from the burning of the coal from the massive mine and the impact of those emissions on the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef as well as Adani's poor environmental history.
Both Prime Minister Abbott and Attorney-General Brandis have expressed outrage at the decision and the capacity of conservationists to use the courts to prevent a development which they claim is in the national interest. In order to stop this from happening again they are legislating to prevent third party appeal rights except for those whose land is directly affected by a development.
Many community members and conservation groups are concerned about this response of the Abbott Government to the Carmichael decision. A Clarence Valley woman sent the following message to her federal Member of Parliament , Kevin Hogan (Member for Page). Hogan is a National and a member of the governing Federal Coalition.
MESSAGE TO KEVIN HOGAN MP
I am appalled that the Government of which you are a part is
planning to remove community rights to take action in the courts against
proposals which threaten the health of the natural environment.
The comments which have been made by the Prime Minister and
the Attorney General in response to the court decision on the Carmichael Mine
case are over the top and verging on the hysterical. Those bringing the case WON it because the
decision of the federal government was flawed.
The court decision was righting a wrong.
That's what the law is supposed to do and that's what the community
expects it to do.
Stripping the rights of community members and community
groups to protect the environment in the courts may be applauded by big
business, miners and foreign companies but it is betraying the community and
future generations. Governments should
be supporting orderly legal processes rather than seeking to pervert them.
Does this government exist to kowtow to big business -
including foreign mining companies - or does it exist to govern for the people
of this nation and their long-term future?
The health of the natural environment is important to ALL of
us because we rely on it for services such as clean air and clean water. It is also vital that we ensure that the
environment stays healthy for future generations - for my children and
grandchildren and for YOUR children and grandchildren as well.
You might care to consider your position in relation to
gas-mining in your electorate. Would you
support the stripping of the rights of Northern Rivers community members such
as the Grafton Loop of the Knitting Nannas from taking legal action - if they
so desired - to prevent a gas-mining company from endangering the natural
environment in our area ?
The Government's proposed draconian legislation will have
very wide ramifications - many of which will not be in the interests of local
members such as yourself. For that
reason I urge you to speak out VERY strongly against this legislation.
Note: Kevin Hogan has stated that he opposes gas-mining in the Clarence electorate. The writer of the message is presuming that Hogan would not support his constituents being denied the right to take the miners to court.
Note: Kevin Hogan has stated that he opposes gas-mining in the Clarence electorate. The writer of the message is presuming that Hogan would not support his constituents being denied the right to take the miners to court.
