Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (15:33): I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) a spokesperson for the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport was quoted on 16 March 2013 as saying That the level of particulate matter emitted by coal trains was not statistically significantly different to passenger trains,

Both Labor and the Opposition voted against a motion yesterrday put by Australian Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon calling on them to reject the proposed forth coal terminal (T4) because of its impact on public health in the Hunter.

See coverage today in the Newcastle Herald

The full motion is below.  Senator Rhiannon is attending the Stop T4 rally in Newcastle this Saturday.

Federal Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon should be working alongside the Greens to secure hearings in the Hunter of a Senate inquiry into the impacts of air quality on health in light of new research results showing coal dust levels injurious to residents' health, says Australian Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon.

"CTAG's study results show coal dust fine particles, which scientists are dubbing ‘the new asbestos', at levels dangerous to human health and Mr Fitzgibbon should be ashamed of his past stance arguing against Senate hearings in the Hunter ," Senator Rhiannon said.

Greens Senator for NSW Lee Rhiannon gave notice of a motion calling for an inquiry into the impact the proposed T4 coal loader in Newcatle Harbour and the Hunter Valley coal rail, coal mining and coal export industry has on air quality and public health.

Notice of Motion - Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales)

I give notice that on 21 November 2012 I will move:

That the Senate—

1)      Notes that:

The federal government, as a key funder of billions of dollars of coal rail infrastructure in the Hunter Valley, should use its clout to force coal companies to cover coal rail wagons rather than push responsibility back to the NSW government, said Greens Senator and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon (Newcastle Herald, 6/8/12, http://tinyurl.com/9m4v267).

"Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese is wrong to say covering coal wagons is a state matter," said Senator Rhiannon.

Port Waratah Coal Service (PWCS) in their public comments and public materials in support of the T4 proposal, have created the perception that they are legally obliged by and to the ACCC, via the Capacity Framework Arrangements (CFA), to build T4 once they have reached capacity shortfall of 145 million tonnes in take or pay contracts. PWCS asserts that they now have take-or-pay contracts totalling 176.6 million tonnes per year.

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee

Estimates hearings, 23 May 2012

Australian Rail Track Corporation

Senator RHIANNON (New South Wales) (19:29): The CSIRO's State of the environment report, released today, forecasts worsening global warming. The climate threats facing our planet and its people are being accelerated by the relentless expansion of coal mining and coal exports in Australia. We have seen in the news the horrifying scale of the new coal export terminal in Queensland that will export climate change to the world and threatens the Great Barrier Reef.

Rural Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee

Estimates hearings, 18 October 2011

Australian Rail Track Corporation