http://www.theaustralian.com.au/
To paraphrase John Howard, we should decide what mining projects are opened up in this country and the circumstances in which they open. Such authority rests with Australia’s democratically elected representatives and established government processes.
It does not belong with overseas governments (including prospective US presidents or their staff), self-appointed meddling international activists or local vigilante “lawfare’’ litigants funded by activists.
Thinking Australians, whatever their views about coal, should be appalled by the revelation, reported exclusively by Dennis Shanahan, that the Sunrise Foundation, part of a highly organised group of Australian activists working to stop the $16 billion Adani coalmine in Queensland, is being funded by the Sandler Foundation in the US. The connection surfaced in material released by WikiLeaks, including Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta’s emails.
After one of the most exhaustive environmental impact assessment processes in Australian history, Adani Mining’s Carmichael project was approved for the second time by then-environment minister Greg Hunt more than a year ago. It has also won the backing of Queensland’s Labor government.
The mine, in the Galilee Basin in central Queensland, is to be linked to a new terminal at Abbot Point, near Bowen, by a 388km rail line. Construction and operation is expected to create 10,000 jobs.
For the rest of this article, click here: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/green-activists-must-not-usurp-national-sovereignty/news-story/9b699cb973d1903e8da000b95c21c3fd