Clive Palmer Media Release QLD Nickel

Danielle Lewis

Media release:
Morrison abusing Ministerial power to lobby ASIC: Clive Palmer
Treasurer Scott Morrison was abusing his power as a Minister to lobby ASIC and make personal attacks over Queensland Nickel, the Federal leader of the Palmer United Party and Member for Fairfax, Clive Palmer, said today.
Mr Palmer said politicians from both major parties were engaging in a witch hunt against him to protect the two-party system rather than acknowledging the real reason for Queensland Nickel’s difficulties which was falling global commodity prices.
He said in the last 24 hours Mr Morrison, Michaela Cash, Bill Shorten, Brendan O’Connor and Ewen Jones had all attacked him personally over Queensland Nickel rather than deal with the facts.
“In just one example in the media today we see Scott Morrison abusing his power as a minister to lobby ASIC. This is a blatant case of Mr Morrison using his office for an improper purpose to attack me personally for political reasons,’’ he said.
“He is attacking me when in fact he is hiding the short comings of his Federal Government in assisting the people of North Queensland.”
Mr Palmer said the Federal Member for Herbert, Ewen Jones, did not have any success lobbying his own government for assistance for the Townsville community.
“If assistance was provided we wouldn’t have seen job losses,’’ Mr Palmer said.
“The real story why Queensland Nickel is in receivership is because of the low commodity prices.
“The Chinese and Canadian Governments have helped resource sectors in their countries, so we aren’t on a level playing field.
“The Australian Government continues to be reactive instead of proactive, while job losses continue to mount up across the resources sector.
“We have seen 23,000 job losses in the resource sector in Queensland in the last 12 months and, most recently, the situation unfolding at Whyalla.

“This is a political witch hunt against me by politicians who want to keep the two-party system intact and reject any independent views,’’ Mr Palmer said.

Groundswell Gloucester Media Release

MEDIA RELEASE

17 September 2014

Gloucester Council Approves Primitive Camping Ground

This morning, Gloucester Council gave approval for a camping ground on private property at Jacks Rd Gloucester.  The camp will temporarily house people who want to object to the deeply unpopular AGL Coal Seam Gas development.

“The Gloucester gas project is significant to all of NSW, not just the local community and those immediately downstream.  Everybody deserves the chance to peacefully object to bad laws and bad decisions and the camp allows ordinary people who cannot afford motels to do this,” said Mrs Julie Lyford, President of Groundswell Gloucester.

AGL, who do not want to give the community and its supporters the chance to show their opposition, had objected to the application.

The support of more than 80% of submissions in favour of the camp was in line with many surveys of the public on attitudes to CSG in NSW.  A survey conducted by AGL asked, ‘How supportive are you of CSG exploration in NSW?’  Thirteen percent replied ‘supportive’.

Mrs Lyford said, “AGL would like to think that they have a social license for their gas project at Gloucester but, despite their public relations onslaught, the evidence is to the contrary”.

The campsite was approved subject to conditions.  The conditions include a security bond of $26,000 as a guarantee against damage to public land.  Groundswell Gloucester is a non-profit community organisation with an annual budget that is a small fraction of that amount.

“Groundswell cannot just write this cheque” said Mrs Lyford, “we are asking 1000 Australians to show their support for Gloucester and our cause by donating $26 each to our camp fund.  Go to our web site www.groundswellgloucester.com.au for details.”

Further information:

Julie Lyford

Chair

Groundswell Gloucester

Phone: 02 6558 1995 / 0424 269 784

Email:  julielyford@hotmail.com