The mining industry in Queensland is once again getting a free pass at the expense of the Great Barrier Reef and local communities, as more than 20 mines discharge polluted mine water into waterways flowing into the Great Barrier Reef.

“Relying on the ‘dilution is the solution to pollution’ mentality risks the health of our waterways, our Reef and the communities who rely on them,” said Australian Greens spokesperson for the Environment, Queensland Senator Larissa Waters.

Tuesday, October 30 2012

 Tarkine Listing Clarification Confirms no Impact on Existing Mines.

   The Australian Greens have welcomed the Tarkine National Coalition (TNC), fulfilling a commitment given to Australian Workers’ Union National Secretary, Paul Howes, at a meeting in   Sydney last week.

The failure of the Federal Government's mining tax to raise any revenue demonstrates the folly of Labor's capitulation to the big three mining companies, the Greens said today.

Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said Labor should have adopted Treasury's original model or voted for the amendments the Greens moved in the Senate.

Lifting the ban on uranium mining in Queensland is the latest broken promise by Premier Newman and is another blow in the Queensland Government’s attack on the environment, the Australian Greens said today.

“Throwing open Queensland to uranium mining again is a toxic, dangerous and completely unnecessary step for the sunshine state,” Australian Greens Senator for Queensland, Larissa Waters, said.

 “It is environmentally and economically risky, and adds insult to injury after the Premier has slashed large and small scale solar power programs across the state.

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee

Estimates hearings 18 October 2012

• Senator RHIANNON
• Ms Bird
• Mr G Wilson
• Ms Thorpe
• Mr Robilliard
• Mr Fisher

 Full transcript available here

Mathew Dunckley

Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson said the party strongly opposed new open-cut mines in the area, which is under

consideration for World Heritage listing, but would accept plans to revive some moth-balled mines.

“The whole line that is being pushed against us in Tasmania is that we want to shut down the mining industry, which is

absolute rubbish,” he said.

“Mining is the biggest contributor to gross state product; no one is talking about shutting it down.”

Today’s report from the Climate Commission highlights the great potential for a Queensland industry in clean energy, but predicts a range of devastating impacts on Queensland’s industries and homes if the Queensland and Australian Governments continue to fail the leadership challenge on climate change, the Australian Greens said today.

“This report spells out very clearly what will happen to Queensland if both the state and federal governments blindly forge ahead with their coal-at-all-costs plan,” Australian Greens mining spokesperson, Senator Larissa Waters, said.

Billionaire heir to Lang Hancock's mining empire Gina Rinehart has no idea what life is like for workers on the minimum wage, the Australian Greens said today.

Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said Ms Rinehart's desire to cut the minimum wage was "based on ignorance and a complete lack of concern for the challenges working people face in their lives".