The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has congratulated the Palaszczuk Government on its re-election and said it must now swiftly move to implement its pledges to protect our clean water, clean air and precious Great Barrier Reef.
The Australian Labor Party made strong commitments to the Queensland community during the campaign including pledging to veto any federal handout to the dangerous and dirty Adani coal mine, turbocharge clean energy and end the destructive wave of land clearing across the state.
ACF Chief Executive Officer, Kelly O’Shanassy, said the Queensland community expected the Palaszczuk Government to deliver on these promises and would hold their elected representatives to account if they did not.
“Queensland is especially vulnerable to climate change. The state has been hit with record breaking temperatures, droughts and devastating floods and cyclones. The Great Barrier Reef is just beginning to recover from two mass coral bleaching events and further warming will doom it,” Ms O’Shanassy said.
“At its heart the Queensland election was about whether our elected representatives were prepared to put in place strong measures to stop pollution and protect our liveable planet.
“Premier Palaszczuk must follow through on her promise and write immediately to the Turnbull Government to veto any federal loan to Adani.”
“Overall the Palaszczuk Government should be encouraged by the public support shown for its promises to protect Queensland’s water, air and reefs. People power ensured climate change and nature were central to this campaign. The government should recognise this and strive to go further than the election commitments already on the table.
“It is clear the Liberal National Party got the mood of the electorate wrong. Queenslanders do not want another polluting coal power plant. They do not want public money spent on Adani’s dirty coal mine. And they do not want attacks on clean energy.
“The LNP should take this moment to reflect on its hostility to clean energy and nature protection that has put offside so many in the Queensland community. The LNP must radically overhaul its policies so they support a beautiful and livable state, not harm it with more pollution.”
