A team of senators from the Morrison Government, the Labor party, and Nick Xenophon’s Centre Alliance has rejected a motion calling for a ban on dangerous underground coal gasification. It followed a protest at Leigh Creek Energy’s AGM today.

Today a Greens motion passed the Senate demanding that the Government stop Adani’s pipeline application from being assessed until the federal investigation into their environmental breaches is concluded.

“It would be outrageous for Adani to continue seeking a fresh environmental approval when they’re being investigated for breaching the last one,” said Mining and Resources spokesperson for the Australian Greens, former environmental lawyer Senator Larissa Waters.

Big business is now running parliament and the Government is not even pretending to anymore, Greens Senator for Queensland and mining and resources spokesperson, Larissa Waters said.

“The Government has done another special deal for Adani in not making them comply with water laws,” she said.

“Adani has just gotten out of having to comply with water laws for a pipeline that will suck 12.5billion litres out of a river in a region that is crippled by drought.

The Government must revoke Adani’s environmental approval to in light of serious allegations of environmental breaches, said Australian Greens Senator for Queensland, Larissa Waters

“Adani has shown complete disregard for environmental rules, here and overseas. How many more chances is the federal government going to give them?” said Senator Waters, Australian Greens spokesperson on mining and resources.

Port Lincoln Council’s decision is a pivotal moment in the campaign to protect the Great Australian Bight, the Greens say.

“Port Lincoln has sent a clear message this week in support of keeping oil and gas drilling out of the Bight,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“This is another council joining the chorus of community leaders against drilling in the Bight. The Labor and Liberal parties, who have so far failed the growing number of South Australians opposed to drilling in the Bight, are on notice.

Leigh Creek is facing an environmental and public health disaster following an irresponsible State Liberal Government decision to allow dangerous underground coal gasification to go ahead in the north of South Australia.

“Underground coal gasification puts people’s lives at risk, and does immeasurable damage to the environment. The Greens will fight in Canberra to stop the Leigh Creek project and the harmful practice,” Greens environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

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The Australian Greens have slammed the Labor and Liberal parties for rejecting the will of South Australians who want to see the Great Australian Bight World Heritage protected.

“The Labor and Liberal Parties have failed time and again to stand up for the Great Australian Bight and speak out against oil and gas drilling. If a spill happens in the Bight, oil will be on their hands,” Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“The only constituency that really matters to Labor, the Liberals and the Nationals is their major donors, particularly in the fossil fuel sector”, said Senator Andrew Bartlett, Australian Greens spokesperson for Mining and Resources.

“In the last 3 years alone the fossil fuel industry has donated more than $3.9million to the Labor, Liberal and National parties. So it is no surprise that politicians from all 3 parties continue to wilfully mislead voters about the economic case for coal mining.

The South Australian Greens have welcomed the Sea Shepherd crew aboard the M/Y Steve Irwin back to Adelaide, and pledge to fight to protect the Great Australian Bight from oil and gas drilling. 

“This pristine wilderness must be protected from multinational fossil fuels companies that put profits ahead of communities and the environment,” Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said.