Greasing the Wheels

Changes to legal and/or policy environment that
benefited Adani
Adani are seeking to develop the Carmichael Project in Central Qld. If it goes ahead,
this mine will be biggest coal mine in Australia’s history. It will pollute billions of tonnes
of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, damage the Great Barrier Reef,
threaten the health of the Great Artesian Basin, and drive the Black Throated Finch
towards extinction. Despite these environmental impacts, the project moved easily
through the assessment process after an EIS was placed on public exhibition in
December 2012. The Coordinator General released his report approving the project on
the 7 th May 2014 75 . In February and April 2016 the Palaszczuk Government granted
Environmental Authority and the Mining Leases for the project. 76
As well as huge environmental impact, these approvals were given despite serious
concerns about Adani’s operations here and overseas. Successive governments have
failed to apply regulatory rigour in addressing these concerns prior to granting
approvals. In Australia, there is uncertainty about the ownership of Abbot Point
Terminal 1, which has direct implications for accountability of environmental
conditions. Overseas, Adani has an appalling environmental track record, with cases
including the destruction of mangroves in India. In addition, there are allegations
against Adani of involvement in price overvaluation and fraud, including Guatam
Adani’s brother and key business partner Vinod Adani and Adani Enterprises.
These issues of transparency and corporate accountability are directly relevant to
Adani’s suitability to operate in Australia, and should be addressed by government 77 .
Successive governments, including the Palaszczuk Government, have turned a blind
eye to these issues. Under the Palaszczuk Government Minister Lynham has met at
least 7 times with Adani. With continued access and political donations, there are
concerns Adani has influenced the approval process, encouraging successive
governments to ignore concerns regarding their suitability to operate.
75 http://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/assessments-and-approvals/carmichael-coal-mine-and-railproject.html
76 Sydney Morning Herald, 3 rd April 2016, ‘Adani Galilee basin project mine leases approved’,
http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/adanis-galilee-basin-project-mine-leasesapproved-20160403-gnx016.html
77 Environmental Justice Australia, A Review of the Adani group’s environmental history in the context of
the Carmichael mine approval, accessed 3 rd March 2016,
https://envirojustice.org.au/sites/default/files/files/envirojustice_adani_environmental_report.pdf
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