Activists’ target to quit work with Adani

A GLOBAL engineering firm has quit working with controversial miner Adani after being targeted by climate change activists.

The Townsville Bulletin can reveal Aurecon, which has eight offices across Queensland, is expected to inform staff today that it has severed longstanding ties with the Indian company.

Aurecon worked on the original development of Abbot Point coal terminal during the early 1980s as well as several major expansions of the port before it was purchased by Adani almost a decade ago.

However, the company has been under pressure from anti-Adani crusaders who have repeatedly disrupted organisations with contracts to work for the miner and used a variety of techniques to target their staff.

The company is on a list of organisations that work with Adani which was compiled by activist outfit Market Forces which targets banks, superannuation funds and other major industries’ involvement in fossil fuel projects.

Aurecon staff at career fairs across Australia were earlier this year targeted by activists from Market Forces masquerading as students.

An Adani spokeswoman confirmed Aurecon had finalised its relationship with the company but insisted this would in no way hinder the development of the Carmichael coal mine in the Galilee Basin.

“While we are surprised by the decision, given the positive longterm relationship and the fact that we are not aware of any commercial issues or disputes between our companies, we value the work that Aurecon has delivered for our port and renewable energy businesses,” she said.

“We are already in conversations with other businesses and a number of companies have eagerly expressed their interest in taking up this portfolio of work, along with other current opportunities to work with our Australian port business, the Carmichael project and our renewables business.”