The Mackay Conservation Group has presented a 1300 signature petition to Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert, asking for the government not to fund the Adani coal mine with public money as Saturday’s royalty agreement deadline approaches.
The Queensland Government made an election promise not to use public money for the mine, but they are currently negotiating a royalty holiday allowing Adani to defer government payments for up to 10 years.
This would provide them with hundreds of millions of dollars to fund the Carmichael mine.
Spokesperson and community organiser with the Mackay Conservation Group, Michael Kane, says “Every cent that Adani is not paying is money not going to fund our local nurses, hospitals and schools.”
New research shows that under existing royalties arrangements in Queensland, Adani would get 17 per cent of their coal for free, and any royalties deal from the Queensland Government would be an extra subsidy.