Our MPS failing us on Adani

IT’S hard to remember a time when our three state Labor MPS have publicly stood up for the people of North Queensland and openly criticised their own party.

There are certainly instances that the Member for Townsville Scott Stewart, Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper and Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’rourke have in their own quiet ways lobbied for their electorates and they’ve seen success on some issues.

These three politicians generally like to toe the party line and not rock the boat.

There is quite possibly some sense in picking your battles when you’re a Northerner dealing with a Brisbanecentric State Government made up of key ministers who are likely to get a nosebleed if they go further north than Moreton Bay.

But there comes a time when every elected official who is a member of a party has to ask themselves if they are the voice for their electorate in Brisbane or the voice for Brisbane in their electorate.

On the issue of the 11th-hour environmental review into mining giant Adani’s plans for the black-throated finch at its proposed Carmichael site, the three local members have been silent.

Then, despite huge concern from

North Queensland residents about the process and even the CFMMEU urging Labor politicians to support the coal industry, when questioned the three local members have once again failed to stand up for the community.

The mine cannot proceed unless the finch plan – produced by Adani after 18 months of consultation with the state Environment Department, including seven drafts – is approved by the State Government.

To say that is just due process is questionable.

These three MPS have been given too many chances to show their allegiances lie with North Queenslanders and too many times now, they have chosen instead to defend their leaders in the south of the state.

Simply put: It’s not good enough.