[Greens-Media] Chinese coal company's Hunter expansion plans: Macdonald should reveal details

[Lee Rhiannon]

MEDIA RELEASE
7 May 2010

Chinese coal company's Hunter expansion plans: Macdonald should reveal details

Greens MP and Hunter spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Mineral Resources Minister Ian Macdonald to publicly disclose details of his talks with coal mining giant China Shenhua Energy about the company's Hunter expansion plans. (Newcastle Herald, page 4, http://bit.ly/ddD8lC) 

"The Chinese coal giant's plans for the Hunter only became public knowledge when a company representative in Beijing released a statement," Ms Rhiannon said. 

"NSW government ministers should keep the people of NSW informed on plans for major mining and industry developments. 

"China's biggest coal mining company has developed a close relationship with Mining Minister Ian Macdonald by paying $300 million for a license to explore for coal in the Liverpool Plains area. 

"It could be judged that the $300 million China Shenhua paid to the NSW government to explore for coal in the Watermark region of the Liverpool Plains has opened the door for other discussions about a new coal fired power plant in the Hunter.

"If this has happened the public have a right to know what the NSW government is working on with foreign owned mining companies. 

"With all the recent revelations about the health problems associated with mining and heavy industries, the possibility that the government is even considering expanding the coal fired power industry is alarming.

"Premier Kristina Keneally must rule out this bankrupt proposal.

"For too long the Hunter has shouldered the burden for NSW's economic growth, with resulting damage to the environment and public health. 

"A new power station risks further compromising residents' health and increasing greenhouse gas emissions for the sole aim of boosting the profits of a Chinese corporation," Ms Rhiannon said.

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