Press release – 3 May, 2015Brisbane, May 4, 2015: The overwhelming majority of Australians would choose to protect the Great Barrier Reef over expanding the coal industry, according to an opinion poll commissioned by Greenpeace Australia Pacific.Polling company ReachTEL contacted more than 2,500 people across Australia asking them to agree or disagree with the statement:
‘If I had to choose between protecting the Great Barrier Reef and expanding the coal industry I would choose protecting the Reef’.
An enormous 85% agreed. (1)
“The Australian public has made it clear that they want the Great Barrier Reef – and all the good that it brings for our economy and environment – not a dying coal industry that is in global decline,” said Reef campaigner Shani Tager. “The public reaction mirrors recent scientific analysis which has also made it clear that Australia can have a healthy Reef or coal, but it can’t have both,” Tager added.
The opinion poll and scientific opinion (2) comes as yet another blow to the company attempting to force though the Carmichael mega-mine and Abbot Point port expansion. Adani Mining’s financial controller Rajesh Gupta last week admitted in the Queensland Land Court that the company would not be bringing the promised 10,000 jobs if the mine opened, but only 1,464. (3)
Mr. Gupta’s testimony also raised further doubt about the financing of the project. Eleven international banks, many of which already invest in Australian mines, have said they won’t invest in the Carmichael mine.
In the coming weeks UNESCO will also publish its draft conclusions about the Australian Government’s commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef, after raising serious concerns about the poor health of the World Heritage Area in recent years.
Greenpeace is urging UNESCO to place the Great Barrier Reef on its “in danger” list until the Australian government presents a credible plan for its protection – one that does not include the expansion of coal mines and ports.
Contacts:
Aaron Gray-Block (+61) 437 845 150, Shani Tager (+61) 427 914 070
Notes:
(1)
http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/PageFiles/293385/Greenpeace-ReachTEL-Poll-23%20April-2015.pdf
(2)
http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2015/03/20/4201097.htm
(3)
http://www.smh.com.au/business/comment-and-analysis/adani-mining-feels-heat-over-14b-galilee-basin-coal-mine-gap-20150427-1mud1h.html