Mining campaign provides balance

We should encourage, not vilify, the attempt by concerned citizens to make the mining public policy debate less lop-sided, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.

"We see full page ads coming from the mining billionaires at the moment, proving the point about vested interests throwing their weight around and skewing public policy. There is a lopsided public discourse going on. The green groups are adding balance. Good on them," Senator Brown said in Sydney.

"What is clear is that Australia needs a review or stock take of coal mines as opposed to the gung-ho ‘every mine, port or coal seam gas operation must go ahead' attitude of Craig Emerson, Martin Ferguson or Wayne Swan.

‪"It would be deeply irresponsible to do otherwise," Senator Brown said.