Activists slam MPs over mine support
ACTIVISTS who oppose the New Acland Coal Mine stage three expansion have slammed some Federal Labor MPs who this week came out in support of the mine.
Labor frontbenchers Shayne Neumann and Joel Fitzgibbon broke ranks with their State Labor colleagues on Thursday, calling on the expansion to be approved.
The State Labor Government has so far refused to issue final approvals for the project, which has been in a protracted legal battle since the middle of the 2010s.
Oakey Coal Action Alliance secretary Paul King took specific aim at Mr Fitzgibbon, a New South Walesbased MP.
“Southerner Joel Fitzgibbon should let Queenslanders make their own decisions,” he said.
“Even in his own state of NSW, the State Government is now saying there will be a decline in thermal coal exports because around the world, and here at home, renewable energy projects are the cheaper, cleaner, and less invasive way to generate power.
“Rather than supporting New Hope, Mr Fitzgibbon should instead stand up for coal workers in Queensland and NSW by supporting a long-term plan to ensure their job security as global coal demand declines.”
Mr King said automation would lead to job losses at the New Acland Coal Mine.