THREATENED SPECIES
ADANI’S proposed mine has been stymied due to the endangered black-throated finch but if the project doesn’t go ahead, Labor’s chance of retaining Herbert could instead be under threat.
Labor MP Cathy O’toole holds the country’s most marginal seat and yesterday her reelection campaign was dealt a blow when the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union threatened to “actively campaign” against Queensland candidates who didn’t support Adani. “If you want support from us, you have to make a position, no good sitting on the fence anymore,” CFMMEU Mining and Energy Division president Steven Smyth said.
Ms O’toole said she supported the proposed mine if it stacked up financially and environmentally.
HERBERT MP Cathy O’toole has been told to make her position on Adani and coal mining clear or risk losing support from the powerful mining union.
The Mining and Energy branch of the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union has threatened to pull support for federal Labor candidates across Queensland unless they pledge support for the coal mining industry, including Adani Australia’s Carmichael mine.
CFMMEU Mining and Energy president Steven Smyth, based in Mackay, said the coal pledge would leave no “grey area” for MPS to support the State Government’s approach to Adani.
“We’re sick of the anti-coal view applied in the state,” he said. “I don’t think people realise when they are attacking coal mines they are also attacking the workers in the regions and their families. If you want support from us, you have to make a position, no good sitting on the fence anymore.”
Ms O’toole, who holds the most marginal seat in Australia, said her position on Adani was “crystal clear from day one”.
“If the project stacks up both fi- nancially and environmentally, then it goes ahead, no questions asked,” she said. “I have met with the CEO and hierarchy of Adani in Canberra and in Townsville and I understand their gripes are with the state, and that is not something I have any jurisdiction over.”
When asked if she needed the support of the CFMMEU at the upcoming federal election, Ms O’toole said what she needed to do now is to “stay focused about what the people of Townsville need”.
“And let me be crystal clear, I see my work cut out now in ensuring with this weather event that making sure every citizen in this town gets the support that they need,” she said.
Liberal candidate for Herbert Phil Thompson, who said he supported the Adani project and mine workers, called on Ms O’toole to put her support behind the Carmichael mine.
“Now more than ever we need to be throwing our support behind the Adani mine,” he said. “We need our representatives to be the Townsville voice in Canberra and not the Canberra voice in Townsville.”
Northern Australia Minister Matt Canavan said the time for “dithering” with the Adani project was over.
“We’re in lock-step here with the CFMMEU, we have other disagreements, but the LNP, the CFMMEU, the Townsville City Council, almost every business in Townsville, are all trying to get the Adani project off the ground,” Mr Canavan said.