Media Release Palmers Mine Should Not Go Ahead An co-owner of a Nature Refuge in Central Queensland, threatened by a coal mine proposed by Clive Palmer, is calling on the Federal Government to reject the mine and ensure the area is protected in perpetuity. Paola Cassoni, co-owner of Bimblebox Nature Refuge, was tonight featured in a Four Corners exposé on Clive Palmer, arguing that the property provides a vital area of biodiversity in a region under-represented by national parks and protected areas, and should not be mined. The Queensland government has approved the China First mine but the Federal Government can still stand in the way. This area is listed under the National Reserve System and was supposed to be protected in perpetuity Said Ms Cassoni, This is not just about the Nature Refuge, these mines will have a huge impact on the regions groundwater. The environment and local landholders depend on groundwater and these mines are preparing to destroy that. Four Corners exposed Clive Palmers political and business dealings which Ms Cassoni, an Italian native, likens to the antics of Silvio Berlusconi in her home country. Its hard enough to keep self interest out of politics - some do fall for lining their own pockets, but when we have a business man like Palmer, with ongoing projects in mining that need government approval, it becomes obvious to me that self interest and public interest cant mix. Ive seen it in my own country with Berlusconi. Its a bit like opencut mining and conservation, they are diametrically opposed, you have either one of the other. To discredit the high conservation value of Bimblebox, Palmer resorted to lying, saying that it is devoid of all vegetation. He also eventually admitted he was joking when he said green groups were being funded by the CIA. How are we to believe his altruistic sentiments towards Australians and that he will truly be representing our interests in Parliament? Palmers company is being prosecuted by the Queensland Government for not rehabilitating exploration boreholes within his Galilee Basin exploration lease, including on Bimblebox. He has also refused to pay his carbon tax liabilities. If his prior performance is an indication of his lack of respect for the regulations that protect the environment and our health, I fear for our groundwater, air quality and communities for generations to come
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 10:31:19 +0000
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