… over Climate and Reef-wrecking Coal Financing Proposal
Hobart- Today, concerned CommBank customers were joined by 60 residents in an action calling on CommBank to publicly rule out financing for the dangerous Galilee Basin coal mining project and the associated Abbot Point coal port expansion on the Great Barrier Reef.
Over 50 residents participated in the action, which included public speakers, Stuart Barry from TasEthical, Vicky Fysh from 350 Australia, and Ben Ross, a CommBank customer. A street procession of tropical fish moved its way to the action through the Hobart CBD, highlighting the threats to the marine life posed by the coal mining project.
This was one of over 100 community actions that are taking place at CommBank branches across Australia and around the world this week.
“We are here to show CommBank that their customers and communities right across Australia don’t support mega coal mines in the Galilee Basin nor massive coal ports on the Great Barrier Reef,” said Ben Ross, CommBank customer.
A vast majority of Australians say they would not support a bank that finances a fossil fuel project that puts the Great Barrier Reef in danger. Yet CommBank, already Australia’s largest funder of fossil fuel projects on the Great Barrier Reef, is rumoured to be in advanced talks with Indian mining company, Adani to fund this next dangerous and unpopular project.
“The one thing that’s crazier than sending millions of tonnes of toxic coal on barges through the Great Barrier Reef, is believing that customers will stand by you after you’ve helped to bankroll such a disastrous plan. This campaign won’t stop until CommBank publicly rules out the projects” concluded Vicky Fysh.
Most of the coal mines slated for the Galilee Basin would be larger than any others ever built in Australia. They would be responsible for sending thousands of ships directly through the Great Barrier Reef every year.
Ben Ross
