Extract from ABC News
Updated
Photo:
State and federal governments have defended allegations aired on Monday's Four Corners program. (AAP: Darren England)
The Queensland Government and business groups are
defending the proposed Carmichael coal mine despite damning allegations
aired last night against the company behind it.
Key points:
- Both the Queensland and Federal Government have defended the mine's approval
- Annastacia Palaszczuk says Adani will be held to account in Australia
- A Queensland chamber of commerce says Adani is offering a lifeline to the region
The ABC's Four Corners program on Monday revealed alleged cases of bribery, corruption and environmentally destructive behaviour by the Adani Group in India.
Both state and federal governments have defended the approval process, with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk maintaining the company will be held to account.
"I saw those reports last night and I've made it very, very clear to the people of this state that we have the strictest environmental conditions attached to this," Ms Palaszczuk said.
Former Indian environment minister Jairam Ramesh said the Australian Government had failed to examine Adani's environmental and financial conduct in India.
But Ms Palaszczuk instead focused on the disputed claim the project will create 10,000 jobs, which Queensland's Land Court has described as "overstated".
"You only have to travel to regional Queensland to understand what this project means to thousands of families out there that will be employed through this project," she said.
Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Anthony Lynham said the mine would be subject to "strict monitoring" throughout the construction process.
Photo:
Former Indian environment minister Jairam Ramesh said Australia failed on due diligence. (ABC News: Wayne Harley)
"There's 220 strict environmental conditions on Adani. The Minister for the Environment has the power to suspend operations if any of these are breached," Dr Lynham said.
"They're in our backyard now, our laws, our rules, our regulations.
"The strictest environmental conditions anywhere in the world, and we make sure they pay their taxes appropriately — they build our schools, our roads and our hospitals here in this state."
The Federal Government is also defending the Indian company. Central Queensland MP Michelle Landry said Adani had fully complied with all government requirements in Australia.
"I can't really comment about what they do over in other countries, but I know here they've been very professional," Ms Landry said.
"I've had a lot of dealings with them, and they certainly are following everything that the Government tells them that they have to do."
Mine will provide 'boost' to central Queensland: business
Local businesses have also defended the Carmichael mine, with a north Queensland chamber of commerce urging critics to accept that checks throughout the process have been proper.
Bruce Hedditch, a hotelier in the struggling port town of Bowen and chairman of the local chamber of commerce, said Adani was offering a lifeline to the region.
"It's of the utmost importance because central Queensland is suffering from lack of job opportunities, families can't find positions for their husbands, or their children going through school," Mr Hedditch said.
"It's a critical stage now that we need something in central Queensland to give us a boost."Mr Hedditch dismissed the claims of India's former environment minister Jairam Ramesh broadcast on the Four Corners program.
"I don't hold it with any great credibility because Adani has been going through all the exercises of financial, environment and government regulations — they've got through every one of them," he said.
"Absolutely [I have faith in government due diligence] — [Adani] have convinced all departments, both state and federal, that they comply."
Australia's Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg declined request for interview.
A spokesman said Mr Frydenberg's predecessor, Greg Hunt, said the company's environmental history was closely considered before the Carmichael mine project was approved.
Catch up on Monday's Four Corners program into Adani on ABC iview.
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