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Govt must reject $600 million Chinese coal exploration bid
Thursday, 31 July 2008
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSWGovernment to reject the $600 million bid from the Chinese government
owned coal giant, China Shenhua Energy Company, to conduct coal
exploration in NSW's agricultural belt in the Gunnedah Basin and
Liverpool Plains.
"First Premier Iemma tried to flog China Shenhua the state's
electricity network, now it is offering the company the chance to dig up
the most fertile and productive farming region in NSW," Ms Rhiannon
said.
"The Government is selling out the future of the Gunnedah Basin and the
Liverpool Plains to fix its own financial mismanagement.
"Not content that coal royalties reached $416 million last year,
Treasurer Costa is trying to balance his books using business
consideration fees paid for coal exploration.
"Under Premier Iemma's new policy of accepting large up front
payments for coal exploration, community and environmental concerns will
be hung out to dry.
"Decisions like this bring the Greens and farmers closer together. We
both agree that food and water are more important than coal, at any
price.
"The future of agriculture looks bleak when the government is prepared
to accept a $600 million bribe to dig up farms and destroy future water
sources.
"The government's lack of long term vision is frightening. You can't
eat coal.
"In 2006 the Government struck a secret deal with BHP Billiton,
accepting up to $250 million in upfront fees and inducements to explore
for coal in the Gunnedah Basin.
"This $600 million bid eclipses the BHP Billiton deal, allowing the
government to pocket a combined amount of $850 million for the two
adjoining exploration leases.
"The Iemma government needs to reconcile its appetite for coal money
with its climate change obligations.
"The coal industry's monstrous greed is now driving NSW Government
policy.
"The government should be assessing the cumulative impact of coal
expansion on rivers, water catchments, threatened species, food security
and the social cohesion of regional communities," said Ms Rhiannon.
For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
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