Greens turn a blind eye for carbon-SEX deals

[mellie]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Friday, March 25, 2011

Premier welcomes $5 billion mining announcement

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh today welcomed an announcement by the BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance which is expected to bring more than 3000 mining and construction jobs to Queensland.

“This is great news for Queensland and our regional economies – it means jobs, investment and prosperity,” the Premier said.

The $5 billion investment in BMA’s Central Queensland coal projects will increase the company’s annual production capacity by 4.9 million tonnes through development of the new Daunia operation and a new mining area at Broadmeadow.

Work at the Hay Point Coal Terminal will also increase the port’s capacity by 11 million tonnes.

“This is a ringing endorsement for Queensland,” Ms Bligh said.

“Mines in the Central Queensland area were impacted by flooding in December and January and this is a clear sign we’re open for business.

“This means more jobs for more people at a time when they’re needed most.

“This shows investor confidence in our state’s economy which is good news for all Queenslanders.”

The $5 billion investment includes:

* $1.6 billion for the development of the new Daunia coal mine which will need about 1000 construction workers and 400 operational staff

* $900 million to extend the life of the Broadmeadow mine by a further 21 years which will need about 650 construction workers

* $2.5 billion for the stage three expansion of the Hay Point Coal terminal which will need about 1000 construction workers and increase operational staff by 13

The Premier said the plans would also benefit local communities.

“With BMA’s recent announcement of a Local Buy Program, this will benefit local Central Queensland communities,” Ms Bligh said.

“BMA has indicated that they’ll be looking to use local labour and local goods wherever possible during construction processes and invite tenders from local businesses.

“I applaud BMA for investing in Queensland and making sure local communities will benefit.”

The Broadmeadow expansion and the development of the new Daunia mine are expected to be complete by 2013.

First shipments from the expanded Hay Point Coal Terminal are expected in 2014.

MEDIA CONTACT - Premier's Office: 07 3224 4500

[mellie]

So, I take it the Greens wont be shackling themselves to BHP's latest expansions here, or their pre-electoral promised uranium mining expansions down at Olympic dam in exchange for their CEO's public corporate support of a 'Greener' Carbon-taxed Australia *choke*


Suckers!

This is what Gillard had to say about Greens recently...

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/gre ... 6034914157

Bob doesn't look too happy....must be daunting having to retire shortly and count all those millions of dollars worth of corporate donations we aren't supposed to talk about...

[mellie]

re-located post.