About 50 community members congregated at Jackie Trad’s South Brisbane electorate office this morning to call on the QLD government to uphold their election commitment to make mining companies clean up their mess.
An 11,000 strong petition and a banner signed by hundreds of constituents were delivered to the Treasurer via her electorate staff.
Treasurer Jackie Trad is responsible for the bill currently before parliament, which proposes significant reforms to the sector’s rehabilitation practices but leaves loopholes that would undermine the entire legislation.
“We congratulate the Government for introducing this legislation, but we call on them not to waste this historic opportunity by passing the bill with loopholes that will allow the status quo to continue,” Lock the Gate Queensland Coordinator Ellie Smith said.
At the election, the ALP made a promise that there would be a requirement that all land disturbed by mining activities is rehabilitated to a safe and stable landform that does not cause environmental harm and is able to sustain an approved post-mining land use.
“We are calling on the Treasurer to amend the bill to ensure Labor keeps its promise. A small amendment will make a huge difference for Queensland and ensure taxpayers are not left with the clean-up bill when miners decide to abandon their responsibility,” Ms Smith said.
