Cripps accuses Labor Double talking

THE State Government has been accused of being “twofaced” and playing both sides of the natural resources field.

In a motion in State Parliament last night Hinchinbrook MP Andrew Cripps called on the House to “condemn the Palaszczuk Government for its secret support of attempts by extreme activist groups to block the jobs and investment opportunities associated with resource projects”.

Mr Cripps told the Townsville Bulletin the Government was playing both sides of the field and holding up projects such as Adani’s Carmichael coal mine in the Galilee Basin.

“You have a very divided government that can’t make up its mind on which side of the argument it is on,” he said.

“Is it a pro- economic development party which supports the Queensland Resources sector, in this case the coal industry, does it support the jobs for North and central Queenslanders for families that depend on the coal sector for their livelihoods? Or are they, as I suspect, absolutely politically addicted to preferences from the Greens to win seats in southeast Queensland?”

He said there was a massive conflict of interest with ministers having relationships with organisations like Get Up!

“We’ve seen left wing members of the Cabinet like Jackie Trad, Steven Miles and Mark Bailey, with very, very close links to these activists’ organisations.’’

But Townsville MP Scott Stewart laughed off the claims.

“It’s absolute rubbish … we’ve made it very clear where we stand, particularly around Adani. It’s been the Palaszczuk Government that has actually accelerated the project … to ensure Adani can and will get up,” Mr Stewart said.