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Queensland leaders reject former cricketers' call to ditch Adani coal mine

Thursday, 16 Mar 2017 14:23:30 | Chris O'Brien

Adani plans for a $21 billion mine in the Galilee Basin in Queensland's central region. (ABC News)

Both sides of state politics have joined the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) to dismiss the Chappell brothers' objections to Adani's planned Carmichael coal mine.

Ian and Greg Chappell were among 90 prominent Australians to sign a letter to Adani chairman Gautam Adani, urging him to abandon the company's plan for a $21 billion mine in the Galilee Basin in the state's central region.

The former Test cricket greats — and other signatories including authors Richard Flanagan and Tim Winton, Telstra chair John Mullen, investment banker Mark Burrows and former Australian of the Year Professor Fiona Stanley — have called on Mr Adani to invest in renewables instead.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane suggested the Chappells should stick to cricket commentating.

"They're great cricketers and I love listening to them on TV and radio — maybe they haven't had time to go and have a look at some people who haven't got electricity," Mr Macfarlane said.

"I'm guessing they're not aware that there are 400 million Indians who don't have electricity, who are living in darkness, who are burning all sorts of fuels that are poisoning them and the atmosphere.

Planning Australia's biggest mine

Step through the key events in the planning of Australia's biggest mining project, the Carmichael coal mine in remote central Queensland.

"What we want to do is make sure that not only do they get electricity, but that coal-fired electricity is generated with some of the cleanest coal in the world."

Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the Chappells were entitled to their opinion, but were overlooking the job opportunities for regional Queensland.

"There's been a rigorous approval process with more than 200 conditions," Mr Pitt said.

"When you start talking about a $21 billion-plus project, that is going to mean significant construction jobs and ongoing jobs."

Opposition treasury spokesman Scott Emerson said there was bipartisan support for the project.

"The Chappells — who were up here at various times in their careers — I would say to them get on board, get with the LNP's policies of backing Adani, backing this project," Mr Emerson said.

AustraliaPlus


 

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