Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on the NSW Government to reject the $600 million bid from the Chinese government owned coal giant, China Shenhua Energy Company, to conduct coal exploration in NSW’s agricultural belt in the Gunnedah Basin and Liverpool Plains.

“First Premier Iemma tried to flog China Shenhua the state’s electricity network, now it is offering the company the chance to dig up the most fertile and productive farming region in NSW,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“The Government is selling out the future of the Gunnedah Basin and the Liverpool Plains to fix its own financial mismanagement. (more…)

On Thursday morning Senator Scott Ludlam will be presented with a message from Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri - Western Australia’s only Mayor for Peace - to deliver to the Mayor of Hiroshima next week.

8.45am Thursday, 31 July 2008

Foyer area of Pavilion Three,
Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre
Mounts Bay Road, Perth.

“I am proud to take a message of peace to Mayor Akiba on behalf of Mayor Tagliaferri, who is the only Western Australian member of Mayors for Peace - a global network of 2,300 mayors and their cities working towards the total abolition of nuclear weapons,” Senator Ludlam said. (more…)

Business Arising, notes for agenda items, including Amendments to the DCP, Telstra towers, questions and statements (more…)