Queenslanders have protested outside Member for Clayfield Tim Nicholls’ electorate office, calling on the Liberal National Party to improve its coal and gas mining and related climate policies in the leadup to next month’s Queensland election.
Organised by Lock the Gate Alliance and the Queensland Conservation Council, the event was held to draw attention to the fact the LNP is yet to commit to any policies that would better protect Queensland’s farmland, water, biodiversity, or the climate from out of control coal and gas expansions.
The LNP is also yet to commit to supporting Queensland’s renewable energy targets, and the groups fear the party will rescind these targets if elected to power at the October election.
A petition with 4,000+ signatures, calling for bi-partisan support for strong climate action policies in line with what science says is required to minimise global heating to 1.5 degrees, was handed over during the protest.
There are at least 18 new coal projects and many thousands of new coal seam gas wells planned for Queensland. If built, these projects will funnel more dangerous greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and supercharge global warming.
Lock the Gate Alliance will also hold protests outside the electorate offices of Labor Members for McConnel (Grace Grace) and Miller (Mark Bailey) in the coming weeks, calling for similar commitments to protect farmland, water, and climate from planned coal and gas projects.
Clayfield local Charmian Beabout said she had requested a meeting with her local MP Tim Nicholls three months ago to ask questions about the party’s policies on climate change and was yet to hear back.
“I’m quite annoyed, I’d like the LNP to have a policy that will help us transition away from coal and gas. We need to do something about the climate crisis.
“It’s very confusing at the moment because on the one hand you have Peter Dutton supporting nuclear and David Crisafulli saying he’s not going to do nuclear while the party seems to love coal and gas. It’s very disappointing.”
Lock the Gate Alliance spokesperson Zaida Variava said, “New and expanding coal and gas projects threaten the state’s farming sector and the lifestyle Queenslanders love. Be it our world renowned foodbowls and the groundwater that sustains agriculture, or the climate that we all rely on - all are at risk from out of control coal and gas mining.
“Despite this, neither Labor nor the LNP have committed to bare minimum key policies that would help save Queensland’s farmland, water and climate from coal and gas.
“These pop up protests aim to draw attention to these failings in electorates where we know people care, and are really concerned about what’s being allowed to happen to Queensland’s most precious natural and agricultural assets.”
Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman said. “It was very welcome when Queensland’s 75 per cent emissions reduction target was legislated with bi-partisan support, however we can’t reach that target if the next government walks away from the state’s renewable energy targets.
“Energy policy uncertainty will delay investment, stall new renewable energy supply, and result in higher emissions and power bills.
“Voters deserve clarity from the Queensland LNP on what their energy transition plan will be if they're elected in October.”
ENDS