Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry has criticised the Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s decision to reassess approvals for 18 major coal and gas projects, 7 of which are in Capricornia, as bowing to pressure from extreme environmental activists.
Ms Landry’s comments come after the announcement that a successful reconsideration request instigated by Environmental Justice Australia, under 78A of the EPBC (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation) Act had been granted by the Environment Minister.
“The Albanese Government need to provide certainty around energy projects. At a time when energy and gas prices are rising by 50% and 40% respectively, it’s not the time to bow to extreme environmental activists and compromise the future of coal and gas supplies, it is sending us backwards.
“The pressure in households within Central Queensland is at choking point and families are struggling to keep the lights on. The Labor Government’s duty is to manage the economy and alleviate the increasing financial pressure that rising costs of living are placing on families. Instead, they are sabotaging households by choosing to appease environmentalists and wonder why mining companies are considering it a risk to action future projects in Capricornia.
“The mining sector contributes billions of dollars in royalties and taxes into the economy that goes into roads, hospitals, schools, and the NDIS, on top of providing thousands of jobs to our region. Without the approval of these vital coal and gas projects, jobs will be lost, and it will do nothing to help to pay the bills and keep the lights on,” Ms Landry said.
