Paul Bibby
A climate activist has marked the 40th anniversary of the Terania Creek blockade by locking herself onto a drill rig on the Adani Carmichael mine site.
Stanthorpe resident Heather Simpson disrupted work on the controversial project by locking herself onto the rig near the Gregory Highway at 6.30 this morning.
Climate activist Heather Simpson locks on to an Adani drill rig. Image: Frontline Action of Coal
Adani is currently clearing trees for the construction of the mine.
A group of supporters gathered nearby to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Australia’s first environmental blockade which began on August 16, 1979.
It led to the creation of the Nightcap National Park and began a tradition of front line environmental activism that resulted in the preservation of diverse and unique natural environments across the continent.
‘Australia’s history of environmental blockades is a wonderful tradition that has changed the way we relate to this country,’ Frontline Action on Coal spokesperson Andy Paine said.
‘Australia is covered in beautiful and cherished national parks that were the result of people engaging in civil disobedience.”
‘These blockades were all the result of brave and creative people making personal sacrifices. Each of them were at the time accused of being troublemakers and costing jobs, but history has vindicated them and their legacy is the national parks we all enjoy.
‘We say the best way to celebrate that tradition is not only to remember those stories, but to continue it by blockading the Adani mine and preserving a safe climate for all life on Earth.’
Meanwhile former Greens leader Bob Brown has branded Gautam Adani’s lawyers ‘dogs’ over their bankruptcy proceedings against traditional custodian Adrian Burragubba.
Mr Burragubba was at the forefront of an unsuccessful legal action to stop the mine.
‘This is a despicable use of economic imprisonment of Burragubba to punish him for standing up for his Wangan and Jagalingou country against multi-billionaire Adani’s invasion and eviction from the mine site,’ Mr Brown said.
‘Unlike Adani, Burragubba was born on country following hundreds of generations of his people also born on that country.’
‘This is a shameful day in Australia’s ongoing history of evicting and disempowering sovereign Aboriginal peoples from their lands.’
Support The Echo
Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.
Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.
This kind of action needs to continue until the next state election. We need to ensure the people in marginal electorates hear this message loud and clear. It would be good if Bob Brown could get another caravan up into CQ next year in August maybe. Keep up the great work
Another couple of points. Yes… our blockades’
traditions do work & should continue to do so.
Still Bob Brown is correct in his ‘branding of
the situation.’ Taking that further Adani & his
Lawyers have a lot to answer for. Burragubba
& his economic imprisonment is both personal
& sovereign land-rape.
Leave her there don’t unchain her for 4 weeks or so