Australia’s reliance on coal as an export has contributed to the further disrespect of the rights of Aboriginal communities, caused adverse health impacts, has destroyed local ecological communities and is ultimately leading to climate disruption. The power of the mining lobby has subverted our democracy to the point that governments are enlisted in support of mining interests. At this point in time ARRCC is very concerned about the support being given by both the federal and Queensland governments for the Carmichael mine planned by the Adani Company. In particular we oppose the proposals to provide $1bn of public money from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) for rail infrastructure, and to allow relatively unlimited, long-term access to our precious artesian waters.
We also want to stand with the Wangan and Jagalingou Traditional Custodians whose land the Carmichael mine would desecrate. For ARRCC, our respect for the earth is interconnected with respect for indigenous spiritual connections with country, and any actions we take would need to be mindful of their wishes.
UP-DATE: Success! Westpac ruled out financing thermal coal projects in new basins, including Adani, on April 28th. Well done all who campaigned for this outcome!
It has now come to light that Adani has an account with Commbank (which had publicly only distanced from Adani), from which the company withdrew $1.6 million for its Queensland water license. So our question is now of Commbank: Will you rule out finance for the Carmichael coalmine project? Before April 28, Westpac was the major Australian bank which had not ruled out providing finance for the mine. This was at variance with Westpac policy of “Holding global warming below 2°C relative to pre-industrial levels”. Various organisations, including ARRCC, challenged the bank to rule out financing for the Adani mine (see appendix). This campaign was successful, as Westpac launched its updated Climate Change Action Plan.
We note the complicity of the Downer Group which is an engineering firm which has signed “letters of award” to provide engineering and construction works for the proposed Carmichael coal mine. Again this is incongruent with Downer’s Environmental Sustainability Policy. The company’s website states, “Downer’s sustainability strategy incorporates our approach to managing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with our operations and activities and provides the framework for identifying energy efficient and carbon abatement opportunities. We also encourage and support actions to assist our customers and suppliers to manage their climate change related impacts.”
Want to take action?
• Join one of ARRCC’s peaceful protest actions in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne. For information about what is currently planned, contact [email protected] or phone (02) 9150 9713.
• For actions organised by #StopAdani groups generally, check out http://www.stopadani.com/join_now
• Write to Minster for Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), Senator Matt Canavan, to let him know you see the proposal to provide a $1bn loan to the Adani Group as unacceptable.
• Senator Matt Canavan, Minister for NAIF, at [email protected], or 34 East St, Rockhampton QLD 4700
Especially if you’re a CommBank customer, you may like to write to the bank’s CEO, Ian Narev, and urge the bank to rule out funding for the Adani mega coalmine
• Mr Ian Narev, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
• Commonwealth Bank Headquarters, Ground Floor, Tower 1, 201 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Urge the Downer Group to rule out providing engineering services to the Adani mine.
• Mr Grant Fenn, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
• Downer Group, Triniti Business Campus, 39 Delhi Road, North Ryde NSW 2113