Coal haters plan protest
ANTI- COAL protesters have been slammed for “spreading lies” and risking public safety as they plot to disrupt a business event in Townsville cohosted by Adani.
Frontline Action on Coal organisers circulated an email to members encouraging them to come to a Townsville Enterprise breakfast event, where Adani Mining chief executive Lucas Dow is expected to deliver an update on the Carmichael mine today.
“Adani claims to be close to securing the money it needs to finance its reduced- output mine,” the email said.
“Now is a critical time to up the pressure.”
An Adani spokeswoman said the company acknowledged people had different opinions about mining but it was “not acceptable” to spread lies or risk injury through “irresponsible, illegal and unsafe protest behaviour”.
“Neither is it acceptable to intimidate people who support mining or who work in the industry just because they do not share anti- mining views,” she said.
Townsville Enterprise chief executive Patricia O’Callaghan said more than 130 people were expected to attend today’s breakfast event.
“We are proud to partner with Adani, who have been a Townsville Enterprise member over the past two years,” she said.
Ms O’Callaghan did not comment on security measures but said the event would be “professionally managed”.
It comes as the International Energy Agency yesterday released a report estimating demand for power in the AsiaPacific region would increase by 492 million tonnes of coal equivalent by 2040.
Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan said the report was a positive sign.
“Our proximity to ( Asian) markets means our coal industry is well placed to meet this growing demand,” he said.
Meanwhile a poll of more than 850 residents in the electorate of Herbert, conducted by ReachTel on behalf of Lock the Gate Alliance on October 17, found 60.4 per cent of people either supported or strongly supported the Federal Government reviewing Adani’s environmental approvals.
It comes as 65 per cent of locals surveyed by the Queensland Resources Council said they believed the State Government should work more closely with the mining industry to bring jobs to North Queensland.
About 46 per cent of people were concerned environmental activist groups were able to exercise influence on the State Government.