Queensland graziers Angus Emmott and William Graham have joined forces to send a clear message to QLD Parliament to stand up for farmers and graziers and prioritise agriculture over the expansion of fossil fuel development.
The graziers, supported by Farmers for Climate Action, distributed two petitions with a combined total of over 150,000 signatures to all 93 members of the Queensland parliament calling on the government to protect grazing land and water resources.
Third generation Longreach grazier, Angus Emmott, launched a petition calling on the Queensland Premier to rescind the unlimited 60 year groundwater licence granted to the Adani Carmichael project. The petition has now been signed by over 110,000 people.
“Australia’s future lies in clean energy, clean water and clean food – not in the bottomless pit of a thermal coal mine,”said Mr Emmott.
“Groundwater is the lifeblood of Central and Western Queensland, and agriculture is the backbone of our region. It’s time for all sides of politics to put the interests of farmers and graziers, and the long term sustainable future for regional Queensland ahead of the short term interests of mining companies.”
“I am so grateful to all those who have shown their support, after battling six years of climate change impacts it’s heartening to know how many of my fellow Australians are keen to stand up for agriculture.”
Willows grazier, William Graham, has a long term vision for the future of Central Queensland and launched a petition to oppose the compulsory acquisition of grazing land for the construction of a rail corridor to the Carmichael project.
“As a grazier I care deeply about our land, water and our rural communities – the Adani mine and further expansion of coal mining in the Galilee Basin threatens all of this,” said Mr Graham.
“This is a bipartisan issue, it’s not about party politics and that’s why we’re sending a clear message to all of our elected representatives. This is a clear choice about a long term future for our region.”