Mining magnate Twiggy Forrest's breathtaking message to Labor: 'If you love your children…'
Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Twiggy Forrest has unleashed on the Albanese government for approving multi-decade extensions for three coal mines.
Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Twiggy Forrest has unleashed on the Albanese government for approving multi-decade extensions for three coal mines.
Mr Forrest said the climate simply couldnt afford any more coal mines while speaking to the Today Shows Karl Stefanovic on Wednesday.
Stefanovic asked the billionaire if the Albanese government is hedging its bets by extending operations of the mines in New South Wales and suggested Labor dont particularly trust renewables doing the job on their own.
Mr Forrest, a magnate-turned-climate-campaigner, accused Labor of failing to think of the future generations when making decisions about coal.
Look, I dont really know if you love your kids or not mate, but fair dinkum, if you love your kids, I would not be approving coal mines, he said.
Basically the planetary boundaries, which science is all over now, are not telling us we can approve any more coal mines. Youve got massive heat if were worrying about the cost of living.
Now, if were worried about the standard of living now, when global warming starts to really hit us, its going too be so much worse So at least for the kids, dont be approving any more coal mines.
On Tuesday, Labor gave the green light to decades-long extensions to two coal mines in the Hunter Valley and one near the northern tip of Pilliga National Park.
Andrew Twiggy Forrest (pictured) has called out the Albanese government for extending operations of three NSW coal mines in NSW in a Today show interview
Mining operations in Broken Hill, NSW, are pictured
The iron ore billionaire has thrown his weight behind developing green hydrogen technology, calling it the fuel of the future - pure, totally clean.
Critics have derided the move as a bid by the tycoon to cash in on the green economy, but the billionaire has stood firm on the unexpected pivot.
The great thing is, when you make a serious dollar out of it, you can still go home and you can look your kids straight in the eye, not a lump of guilt in your throat, he previously said.
The three mines extended by the federal government include MACH Energys Mount Pleasant Optimisation project, Ashton Coal Operations Ravensworth Underground Mine and Whitehaven Coals Narrabri Underground Mine Stage 3 Extension Project.
Mr Forrests comments came on the same day climate activists protested against the coal mine extensions.
Rising Tide activists brought a coal train bound for Newcastles port to a halt on Wednesday, unfurling a banner that read: Albo: If you dont stop new coal, WE WILL!
The group posted a video showing activists standing on top of a rail wagon packed to the brim with coal.
Weve just stopped a coal train, one activist said. Weve climbed up on top. Weve dropped a big banner off the side and weve started shovelling off a bit of coal.
Were here today sending a message the to the Albanese government because were extremely outraged by the approval of three new thermal coalmines.
Mr Forrests comments came on the same day climate groups launched snap in response to the federal governments decision (pictured, activists in Newcastle on Wednesday)
Meanwhile, placard-waving protesters gathered outside the electorate offices of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Victorian MP Peter Khalil, demanding that Labor reverse its decision.
Greens leader Adam Bandt slammed the approvals as a betrayal of everyone who voted for climate action.
To have any chance of meeting climate targets there can be no new coal or gas mines, yet Labor has now approved 26 new coal and gas projects since coming to power, Mr Bandt said late on Tuesday.
He said emissions were now higher than under the former coal-gung-ho Coalition government and accused Labor of making the climate crisis even worse.
You cant put the fire out if youre pouring petrol on it, he said.
The approvals will add an extra 30-40 years to the mines operations and are tipped to support nearly 2,000 jobs.
