September 25, 2024
In the wake of news the federal government has approved three coal mine extensions in New South Wales, experts in climate impacts have expressed their profound frustration as the undisputed scientific advice is that if we are to avoid the worst impacts of fossil fuel induced climate change, there cannot be any more new or extended coal, oil or gas projects approved.
The projects are: Whitehaven’s Narrabri Stage 3 Expansion, MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant Optimisation, and Glencore and Yancoal’s Ashton-Ravensworth Extension.
The following spokespeople are available for comment:
Jo Dodds, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action president:
“BSCA visited the Narrabri community during preparation for our legal action to stop the expansion of the Whitehaven coal mine. We talked to locals, business owners, First Nations people, farmers and politicians. Not one person we talked to was happy about the mine. They feared the impacts on water, the damage to the land, the pollution to the very air they breathe. They feared more frequent, more destructive bushfires. With the Government’s approval of these three mines, the fears of this community have been realised. Bushfire survivors everywhere are realising that the Australian Government will take no meaningful action to protect them from climate-fuelled fires and wondering who will.”
Serena Joyner, Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action CEO:
“We’ve done everything we can to protect our homes. We can’t do anything more, and yet the Government keeps raising the risk level. This is a cowardly decision by the Albanese Government that is actively failing to take real climate action to protect our communities from worsening fires, floods, and extreme weather. If this government won't stand up to the coal billionaires and polluters, then who will? Who will say no to these projects?”
Dr Kate Wylie, Doctors for the Environment Australia executive director and Adelaide GP:
“Labor’s reckless approval of three thermal coal mine expansions beggars belief. We know, as does the government, how harmful coal is to human and planetary health. To expand such a health hazard at this time is immoral and disregards community wellbeing. Coal causes a number of illnesses, particularly heart and lung diseases, stroke and cancers, contributes to hundreds of premature deaths a year, as well as asthma symptoms in thousands of children. Burning coal is also worsening climate change, which is a fundamental threat to our health. By locking in the climate pollution that these mines will create, the government is putting the community's health and wellbeing at risk.”
Dr John Van Der Kallen, Doctors for the Environment Australia member and Newcastle rheumatologist:
“It is unbelievable that at a time when we are regularly seeing fossil fuel-induced climate events, that a Labor government which touts its environmental credentials, would approve coal mine extensions which will worsen the health of the population as well as the planet. This should not be allowed to continue.”
Contact details:
Jemimah Taylor, 0478 924 425 or jemimah.taylor@climatemediacentre.org.au
Emily Watkins, 0420 622 408 or emily.watkins@climatemediacentre.org.au