Abbot Point coal-hub under Senate scrutiny - Greens

Massive expansion plans for the Abbot Point coal export facility near Bowen, Queensland, will undergo Senate scrutiny on environment, economic and employment grounds, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Mackay today.

"Clive Palmer and Gina Rinehart may urge Canberra to back massive public funding of the rail and port plans which are part of the proposed future export of more than 200 mega tonnes of coal per annum. But that's the equivalent of more than one quarter of all Australian greenhouse gas emissions due to come out of China via Abbot Point," Senator Brown said.

"The plans threaten vast wetlands and migratory bird habitat, dugong feeding grounds and the adjacent Great Barrier Reef."

"Australians should know all the costs involved," Senator Brown said.