Labor’s Acland silence
NO Queensland state Labor MP has come out explicitly in support of the New Acland Coal Mine expansion.
On Monday, The Chronicle emailed most state Labor MPs and ministers and asked simply if they supported the mine expansion.
They were given until close of business yesterday to respond.
Several MPs had responded by deadline, though a number had not.
Springfield-based state MP Charis Mullen said the State Government supported the resources industry and the jobs it created.
“It is why we have facilitated $20 billion in investment in resources projects supporting 7000 jobs,” she said.
Townsville-based MP Coralee O’Rourke made similar comments and said as the matter was still before the court she understood Mines Minister Anthony Lynham would “make a decision … at the appropriate time”.
Mines Minister Anthony Lynham last week told The Chronicle the government’s position had long been to await the legal outcomes before making a decision, a view that was reiterated by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk instate parliament yesterday.
In the past week three federal Labor politicians, NSWbased MP Joel Fitzgibbon, Ipswich-based MP Shayne Neumann and Queensland
Senator Anthony Chisholm, have all expressed their support for the mine expansion and have called on the Queensland Government to approve it.
The mine is currently facing a legal battle in the High Court from environmental activists.
The Chronicle also contacted all the other Queensland-based federal Labor MPs and senators for their thoughts on the project.
Federal shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers said “ideally there’d be an outcome that supports jobs, provides certainty to the community and doesn’t compromise the legal and environmental processes under way”.
“At the end of the day, the determination of any proposed expansion of this mine is a decision for the Queensland Government,” he said.
Labor’s environment spokeswoman Terri Buttler said she would not make comments on specific projects, as “I don’t want to prejudice any future decisions I may be called upon to make if Labor forms government”, while Lilley MP Anika Wells said her focus was on “the renewable energy opportunities that will improve both our jobs and climate prospects”.
Moreton MP Graham Perrett said this was “a matter for the Queensland Government”.
Senators Nita Green and Murray Watt and Oxley MP Milton Dick did not respond to requests for comment.
Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington slammed the State Government’s position yesterday.
“The Premier is the only person standing in the way of this project and she is responsible for every job that is lost by blocking it,” she said.
tobi.loftus@thechronicle.com.au
You can read the responses from all the state and federal MPs online at thechronicle.com.au.