The Climate Council says the Queensland Government has acted in the interests of Queensland tourism in announcing it will not use public funds to support the Adani Group’s proposed monster coal mine.

“The Queensland Government has made an economically and environmentally sound decision. The proposed coal mine poses serious risks to public health, water resources and Queensland’s multi-billion dollar tourism industry,” said Amanda McKenzie, CEO of the Climate Council.

“Seventy thousand Queenslanders rely on Great Barrier Reef tourism for employment. Coal expansion increases the risk of extreme bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef. After two years of mass bleaching, coal is the last thing the Reef, and all those that rely on it need.

“It is a choice between 1500 hypothetical jobs in the monster coal mine, or the 70,000 jobs on the Reef.

“The Carmichael mine is financially risky investment with 17 major banks ruling it out. Taxpayers should not fund a mine that private firms think is uneconomic.

“Health experts will also be supportive of this news given that coal mining already costs Australian taxpayers 2.6 billion in medical costs every year. In India, where the coal from the Adani Carmichael mine will most likely be exported, approximately 100,000 people die from coal pollution each year.

“The Queensland Government can look to use the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund to invest in large scale projects that don’t have the health, environmental and economic risks of the Carmichael mine.

“Economic modelling showing that the Queensland government’s 50% renewable target can create 6000 net new jobs for Queenslanders. Renewables are cheaper, cleaner and return real dividends to local communities,” said Ms McKenzie.

For more information please contact Jessica Kendall on 0414 679 857.

See also Climate Council Report: Risky Business: Health, Climate and Economic Risks of the Carmichael Coalmine