The Australian Conservation Foundation has described the Albanese government’s approval of an extension - through to 2073 - for the Gregory Crinum metallurgical coal mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin as reckless and inappropriate.

“Following the hottest July on record, as we’ve watched climate change wreaking havoc in Canada, Hawaii, Greece and Italy - and with Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology warning of a dangerous spring and summer ahead of us - it beggars belief that the government would approve a 50-year coal mine extension,” said ACF’s CEO Kelly O’Shanassy.

“With the UN Secretary General recently warning the world has entered the era of global boiling, approving a coal mine that could be shipping coal to be burnt through to 2073 is reckless and completely inappropriate.”

“No matter where in the world this coal is burnt, it fuels global warming and harms nature and people in Australia - things that are the responsibility of our government.”

“The fact that this coal mine - along with recent approvals of coal mines at Isaac River and Ensham - has been approved under our national environment law, highlights again how that law needs urgent reform.”