Minister Ian Macdonald drives climate change - Greens protest lavish mining industry conference

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon joined Greens and environmentalists to protest outside a NSW Government mining industry conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney this morning, dubbing Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Ian Macdonald as the NSW Government's key driver of climate change.

"For too long Ian Macdonald's strong ties to the coal industry have driven NSW's poor performance on climate change," said Ms Rhiannon.

"Minister Macdonald is a liability for the Rees Government and the climate.

"Ian Macdonald's legacy to NSW is the runaway expansion of the polluting coal industry at the expense of prime agricultural lands, rivers and water catchments, and real action on climate change.

"Last year Ian Macdonald approved 12 new coal mines in NSW.  They will produce an extra 32 million tonnes of coal.  When burnt, that coal will emit a further 83 million tonnes of greenhouse gases into the earth's atmosphere.

"As energy minister, Ian Macdonald has locked NSW into a dirty coal fired future, denying NSW economic growth through new green energy industries and jobs.

"It is a disgrace that Ian Macdonald is hosting a lavish mining industry conference, wining and dining executives who profit from damaging our environment.  

"As the minister for minerals, energy, agriculture and fisheries, Ian Macdonald has driven climate change.  He has betrayed farmers by placing the interests of the mining industry above future food production.

"Today's protest sent the NSW Government a message that it must prioritise real action on climate change ahead of the expansionary interests of the greedy mining industry.

"The Greens will continue to target Minister Ian Macdonald as this state's biggest hurdle to taking real action on climate change," said Ms Rhiannon.


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