Cairns, Queensland. The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) welcomes Labor’s funding support for the Reef tourism industry but calls for greater action on global warming from both the major parties, including vetoing the $1 billion loan to Adani’s Carmichael mine.
Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) Fight For Our Reef Campaigner David Cazzulino said:
“The Reef tourism industry in Queensland is already under pressure in the wake of record coral bleaching and Cyclone Debbie. Climate change, mainly driven by the burning of coal and gas, is the single biggest threat to the Great Barrier Reef.
“Mining and burning coal from Adani’s Carmichael mega-mine would generate billions of tonnes of pollution, accelerate global warming and put our Reef in even more danger.
“The Reef supports 64,000 tourism industry jobs that are clean and sustainable and generates $6.4 billion every year. It’s of enormous social and economic significance to regional Queensland.
“Recent polls show that Queenslanders want the Premier and the leader of the Qld LNP Tim Nicholls to use their power to veto the $1 billion taxpayer loan to Adani and oppose the Carmichael mine, which will only exacerbate damage to the Reef, tourism industry and related jobs that rely on a healthy Reef.”
AMCS is calling on all parties to:
- Veto the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) loan to Adani
- Commit to no new coal mines or coal fired power stations
- Commit to at least 50% renewable power, like solar and wind, by 2030
For further information, images and interviews please contact:
David Cazzulino, Fight For Our Reef Campaigner – 0447 238 095 – [email protected]
Gemma Freeman, AMCS Media and Communications – 0412 505 405 [email protected]
Background
In relation to the controversial prospect of a $1 billion loan of public money to Adani, two thirds of Australians believe the Queensland Government should keep its election promise to not spend public money on Adani’s private rail line. 66% of Australians want the Queensland government to use its power to veto the loan.
Fight For Our Reef is an initiative of the Australian Marine Conservation Society – proudly part of the Stop Adani Alliance.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) is the voice for Australia’s ocean wildlife. We are an independent charity, staffed by a committed group of professional and passionate scientists, educators and advocates who have defended Australia’s oceans for 50 years.