While Queensland suffers through severe drought, the water infrastructure for Adani’s massive proposed coal mine will avoid full scrutiny under Australia’s national environment laws.
In response to the Federal Environment Minister’s decision not to apply the national water trigger to Adani’s proposed water infrastructure for its Carmichael coal mine, Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) Stop Adani Campaigner, Christian Slattery, said:
“As one of the driest continents on earth, water is the lifeblood of inland Australia.
“It is disappointing that while Queensland suffers through severe drought, the water infrastructure for Adani’s massive polluting coal mine will avoid full scrutiny under Australia’s national environment laws.
“The Federal Environment Minister’s decision is another case of our elected representatives giving preferential treatment to Adani.
“This is a company that has already been given free and unlimited water, as well as secret royalty concessions.
“The Minister’s decision not to apply the water trigger is an abdication of her responsibility to protect nature.
“It highlights the failure of Australia’s national environment laws to protect our water, land and wildlife.
“It’s time for our politicians to side with the people they represent, not big polluters like Adani.”
ACF’s submission to the national environment law assessment of the Adani’s Northern Galilee Water Scheme Project can be found here.