Farmers occupy Qld premier's office

Twenty people from farming families on the Darling Downs travelled several hours to occupy Premier Anna Bligh's office on October 31, demanding the state government introduce legislation to protect prime farmland from mining.

"The mining boom is out of control", said Friends of Felton spokesperson Rob McCreath, who organised the protest. "The premier must act now to protect our food bowl from destruction."

Much of the prime agricultural land in the Darling Downs region is under threat from mining interests. The Queensland government has projected a tripling of coalmining in the state by 2030.

The group set up a mock lunch table on the pavement outside the office, with fresh food made from Darling Downs ingredients, and a plate of coal for the premier's lunch, along with a glass of polluted water.

From GLW issue 774