Opposition Leader Springborg ... visit needed
Slowly - but far too slowly - political awareness is growing in challenge to the Ambre company’s controversial Felton Valley Coal Project and in analysing its adverse environmental impact - and the probable devastating economic and social consequences for the whole region.
Both Kerry Shine, Attorney-General and ALP Member for North Toowoomba, and Stuart Copeland, LNP MP for Cunningham and Shadow Attorney, have published critical analyses. Shine is also Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland. Mike Horan, LNP MP Toowoomba South has also weigted in impessively.
Now Ray Hopper MP for Darling Downs and Shadow Minister for Natural Resources & Water (see picture) has spoken out – in the first statement officially attributed to the Opposition – that the Felton Valley deserves the same protection the State Government has given Proserpine.
But WHERE is the voice of Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg (pictured) who is notorious for his full-throated condemnation of Government tardinesses. “Poltalk” suggests Lawrence get in his car and drive the 30 kms out from Toowoomba to Felton East. He would lift the morale of the beleaguered Friends of Felton no end. Probably. Is he a reluctant starter?
I remind readers that Springborg is after all LNP Member of Parliament for Southern Downs – this is his big chance to speak for farmers who are begging for political friends.
Is there in fact a split in the LNP ranks? What for example is the opinion of Shadow Mines and Energy Minister Jeff Seeney, the LNP member for Callide, who is said to be “resources to his bootlaces.” We all know where Callide is!
Hopper has demanded Premier Anna Bligh explain why prime farming land should not receive the same protection from destruction asland south of Proserpine - which has been ruled out from mining forshale oil."
"The Premier needs to tell us what's the difference between protecting the environment in one part of the State and not another," Mr Hopper said."The Premier has chosen to protect the environment in Proserpine in amarginal seat held by one of her mates, but she is ignoring thepotential loss of some of the best farming country in Queensland if she fails to stop strip-mining of the Felton Valley.
"It's obvious the Premier is more interested in royalties from coalmining than she is in protecting one of Queensland's finestgrain-growing valleys."
Mr Hopper said the Premier had turned her back on local landholders andthe 'Friends of Felton' who were justifiably calling for the sameprotection as the Premier was readily giving to Proserpine.
"The Friends of Felton have rightly pointed out to the Premier that theprojects - fuel from oil-shale at Proserpine and coal to liquid fuel atFelton - are not dissimilar, and the technology involved in bothprojects was equally unproven.
"The Premier needs to explain why she's happy to stop the project upnorth, but give the green light at Felton in the headwaters of theMurray-Darling Basin."
Both Kerry Shine, Attorney-General and ALP Member for North Toowoomba, and Stuart Copeland, LNP MP for Cunningham and Shadow Attorney, have published critical analyses. Shine is also Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland. Mike Horan, LNP MP Toowoomba South has also weigted in impessively.
Now Ray Hopper MP for Darling Downs and Shadow Minister for Natural Resources & Water (see picture) has spoken out – in the first statement officially attributed to the Opposition – that the Felton Valley deserves the same protection the State Government has given Proserpine.
But WHERE is the voice of Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg (pictured) who is notorious for his full-throated condemnation of Government tardinesses. “Poltalk” suggests Lawrence get in his car and drive the 30 kms out from Toowoomba to Felton East. He would lift the morale of the beleaguered Friends of Felton no end. Probably. Is he a reluctant starter?
I remind readers that Springborg is after all LNP Member of Parliament for Southern Downs – this is his big chance to speak for farmers who are begging for political friends.
Is there in fact a split in the LNP ranks? What for example is the opinion of Shadow Mines and Energy Minister Jeff Seeney, the LNP member for Callide, who is said to be “resources to his bootlaces.” We all know where Callide is!
Hopper has demanded Premier Anna Bligh explain why prime farming land should not receive the same protection from destruction asland south of Proserpine - which has been ruled out from mining forshale oil."
"The Premier needs to tell us what's the difference between protecting the environment in one part of the State and not another," Mr Hopper said."The Premier has chosen to protect the environment in Proserpine in amarginal seat held by one of her mates, but she is ignoring thepotential loss of some of the best farming country in Queensland if she fails to stop strip-mining of the Felton Valley.
"It's obvious the Premier is more interested in royalties from coalmining than she is in protecting one of Queensland's finestgrain-growing valleys."
Mr Hopper said the Premier had turned her back on local landholders andthe 'Friends of Felton' who were justifiably calling for the sameprotection as the Premier was readily giving to Proserpine.
"The Friends of Felton have rightly pointed out to the Premier that theprojects - fuel from oil-shale at Proserpine and coal to liquid fuel atFelton - are not dissimilar, and the technology involved in bothprojects was equally unproven.
"The Premier needs to explain why she's happy to stop the project upnorth, but give the green light at Felton in the headwaters of theMurray-Darling Basin."
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