[Greens-Media] RATTENBURY MEDIA RELEASE: Greens call on ACT Government to divest

[Jaques, Alison]

MEDIA RELEASE
Shane Rattenbury MLA, ACT Greens Member for Molonglo

21 November 2014
Greens call on ACT Government to divest

ACT Greens MLA, Shane Rattenbury, is calling on the ACT Government to divest its investment in Whitehaven Coal, the company behind the Maules Creek mine proposal.

Mr Rattenbury yesterday visited the Leard Forest to lend his support for the Leard Blockade campaign opposing the Maules Creek Coal mine which will destroy over 5,000ha of forest.

"Leard Forest is home to 3,421ha of nationally-listed and critically endangered Box-Gum Woodland, home to over 390 species, more than 30 of which are endangered," said Mr Rattenbury.

"If this mine goes ahead, more than half the forest will be destroyed and the remainder will suffer from a major drop in the water table and pollution from coal dust.

"The ACT Government currently has holdings in 70 of the Top 200 fossil fuel companies with well over $100 million invested in fossil fuels.  This includes Whitehaven Coal, the company responsible for the proposed Maules Creek mine.

"I have written to the Treasurer, calling on the Government to place a freeze on new investments in fossil fuel companies and develop a plan to responsibly divest from fossil fuel companies over the next 3 years.

"The Treasurer's response indicates that the ACT is starting to apply an assessment of investment risk based on environmental indicators, however, as far as we know, the ACT continues to invest in Whitehaven Coal.

"I think it is unacceptable that the ACT Government would invest in a company responsible for the destruction of thousands of hectares of endangered woodland and I am calling on the Government to take action now.

"Certainly the ACT Government wouldn't allow such destructive development in the ACT, so I can't see why we should allow our funds to be used for such developments," Mr Rattenbury said.

Statement ends

Ali Jaques | Media Adviser to Shane Rattenbury MLA
ACT Greens Member for Molonglo
Minister for Territory and Municipal Services; Sport and Recreation;
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs; and Corrective Services.

t:  (02) 6205 3897 | m:  0481 035 764| alison.jaques at act.gov.au |

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