February 27, 204
Anti-CSG group Lock the Gate claims the State Government is curbing “democratic rights” by trying to limit objections to mines to affected landholders only.
Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney told the ABC this evening that the current process where any group or person can object to applications, potentially sending the decision to the Land Court, was “frustrating” for the government.
“It’s obvious that the current process allows individuals or groups who are fundamentally opposed to the coal industry – for whatever reason – to use the objection process to frustrate and delay those projects,” Mr Seeney told the ABC.
“The people of Queensland have elected us as a government based on developing our coal industry to supply the world markets and our processes need to allow us to do that.”
Lock The Gate president Drew Hutton said the comments were “despicable”.
“Once again the LNP government is trying to curb the democratic rights of Queenslanders,” Mr Hutton said.
“The Newman government and his bully-boy Jeff Seeney are trying to stop ordinary people and communities from protecting themselves against multi-millionaires in the mining industries that are trying to make a quick buck and move on.
“It’s ludicrous to suggest only landholders should have a stake in whether a mine that effects so many people should go ahead. The impacts on land, air, water and greenhouse gases go much further than the immediate landholders.”
Mr Hutton said Mr Seeney’s comments made “a mockery of the democratic objections process” like the one that closes on Monday for the expansion of the New Hope Coal Mine at Acland on the Darling Downs.
“Locals are already being adversely effected by the Acland mine and any expansion will cause further pain but Mr Seeney is suggesting communities should just put up with it,” he said.
“Some of the largest mining projects in the world are being proposed in Queensland in the next few years and everyone should have a say in whether they should go ahead.”
The State Government will release a discussion paper on the issue soon.
- External link: ABC News website
