Government Corruption over Coal Dust particle levels.

Each day we examine papers, emails, correspondence where we can to keep up with the collusion of government with the mining sector and the involvement of other industries with this.

Quirindi trains.

Yesterday Glen Shaefer via the Hunter Community Environment Centre discovered some huge inconsistencies and a systemic cover up by a detailed examination of   the figures regarding the coal dust particulates and  emissions. 

The Freedom of Information act gives us all access to these emails.   The HCEC carefully sieved through methodically noting the inconsistencies.  HCEC spokesman James Whelan says the documents show the EPA prepared a draft press statement that stated the coal trains did not increase pollution before the agency received the monitoring results.

''There has been a systematic cover-up that warrants a parliamentary inquiry,'' Dr Whelan said.

 ''The documents demonstrate a public relations effort of deception and spin to conceal the extent and nature of pollution caused by uncovered trains.''

''The documents demonstrate a public relations effort of deception and spin to conceal the extent and nature of pollution caused by uncovered trains.''

Luke Foley who is the opposition Environment spokesperson has noted the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is more concerned with colluding with the polluters than protecting the communities and their health concerns.

''If the minister has unknowingly misled the Parliament as a result of false advice from the EPA, she must correct the record immediately,'' Mr Foley said. ''And she needs to put a broom through the EPA.''

Then there was the  inevitable statement made by Environment Minister Robyn Parkin  which says she stands by the figures and that the  statements were made on the latest advice of her departments.

EPA chief executive Barry Buffier had an identical approach to Parkin and funnily enough he takes the same tac and also  stands by all EPA statements that have been released concerning the  covering of coal wagons.   

An independent expert, Professor Louise Ryan of UTS is reviewing all of the data and this report is also due to be released later in February this year.

A statewide campaign to cover up these coal trucks has been initiated by ordinary people who are seriously concerned with the health impacts people are made to endure.  They want these wagons covered up.  

This will cost these colluding companies a lot of money they never wanted to spend.  Why? 

Because they do not give a dam about peoples health in reality.  This same "in your face" attitude is reigning through all of the mining industry at present in this country.  Ordinary people who pay taxes are not listened to over large company profit margins.

The documents that were viewed clearly show the EPA had prepared a very premature media statement in advance before the results of the studies were viewed by Professor Wayne Smith of the NSW Health Department and before his report was prepared. 

 The drama has ensued over  coal trains that haul tonnes of coal in uncovered wagons from Hunter Valley mines to the Newcastle port.   They are licensed polluters.  This is the  federally owned Australian Rail Track Corporation.

Images @ Eminpee Fotography