Adani coal mine: more than an environmental matter

With the Batman by-election coming up on Saturday March 17th, Labor, Liberal and Green parties have divided the nation with their stances on the Carmichael Coal Mine. In a century where the issue of global warming is more relevant than ever, each party is torn in a balance between the economic and environmental future of Australia.

The huge $16.5 billion Indian mining project is a proposed thermal coal mine in Central Queensland, which aims to provide and fund Indiaā€™s increasingly demanding energy resources. It was proposed by Indian mining billionaire, Guatam Adani, who has market equity wealth enough to fund the project himself.

Australiaā€™s top four banks have refused to fund the mine, as have several overseas lenders. This reflected a recent survey, which has found that 30% of people support Greensā€™ hardline anti-mine position, whilst 26% supported Liberalā€™s position of support for the mine.

Laborā€™s fluctuating position on the mine has left many voters unimpressed, which has reflected in his lacking survey support of 19%. With statements from the Opposition finance spokesman Jim Chalmers claiming that the project has not environmental nor commercial tests, Shorten has finally decided to firmly stand in non-support of the mining project.

However, as of Tuesday, Shorten has also released a statement that should Labor come into power when the mining project is signed, he will not rip up the contract as such action poses a ā€œsovereign riskā€.

The Turnbull government has accused Shorten of changing his previously supportive position on the issue conveniently ahead of the Melbourne elections. He has implied that it has been a weak attempt at going against the Greens. Calling Shorten a threat to ā€œthe economic future and security of Australiaā€ and ā€œcompletely two-facedā€, Mr Turnbull has always been clear on his pro-mining stance due to the investment and export opportunities it will provide.

Two-thirds of Turnbullā€™s seat of Wentworth and 60% in Brisbane support a review of the environmental approvals for the coalmine according to a survey released by the Australia institute. With the impact of climate change threatening to bring in more extreme weather, most Australians believe that investment should rather be made into building renewable energy and storage sources.

Australians shall see on Saturday whether Shortenā€™s hedged stance upon the matter will be worth the criticisms he has faced.

Christian Woods
Christian Woods
Christian is a morning reporter and technology columnist for Best in Australia. Christian has worked in the media since 2000, in a range of locations. He joined Best in Australia in 2018, and began working in Melbourne in 2019.
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