Govt's Mining Act review fails to protect rivers, community health

"It was disappointing to see the Iemma government and the opposition voting together to stop Greens changes that would have given some teeth to the government's Mining Act amendment Bill'" Ms Rhiannon said.
 
"This bill did not go far enough to address the environmental destruction caused by mining to rivers, farmlands and regional communities, and the urgent need to curb coal industry expansion to respond to climate change.
 
"The Government's seven year review of the Mining Act, initiated to improve environmental protections, has resulted in piecemeal measures that expose the environment and communities to ongoing mining damage.

"The Government's environmental reforms to the Mining Act are tokenism because they lack strong actions that compel mining companies to better protect the environment.
 
"Rapid expansion of the coal industry will continue to push ahead. Under this Bill it will be business as usual for the country's biggest polluters.
 
"The Greens amendment to force mining lease applicants to produce climate change impact statements was voted down by Labor and Coalition MPs.
 
"The coal industry, the country's biggest single contributor to climate change, has got off very lightly considering the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 
"Greens amendments to place mining buffer zones around rivers, wetlands and heritage sites to force greedy mining companies to protect them were voted down by both parties.
 
"The Government has not strengthened the monitoring, reporting and prosecution of mining pollution despite repeated community calls for more EPA offices.
 
"Public participation in the environmental assessment and planning process has not been improved, and our level of public participation in NSW compared with jurisdictions around the world is bordering on farcical," said Ms Rhiannon.
 
For more information:  Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551; 0427 861 568

[via Lee Rhiannon Media Release Tuesday 13 May 2008 link]