Australian Ag. Minister Slams Own Gov After Approval Of Vast Chinese-Owned Coal Mine

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce says "the world has gone mad" after his own government approved the highly contentious Shenhua Watermark coal mine in his NSW electorate, despite his vehement protests.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt on Wednesday conditionally approved the $1.2 billion project, putting him at odds with his Nationals colleague who has previously decried the proposal by the Chinese government-owned firm as "an absurdity".

"I've never supported the Shenhua mine. I think it is ridiculous that you would have a major mine in the midst of Australia's best agricultural land," Mr Joyce said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Wednesday. "I've done everything in my power to try and stop the mine … I think the world has gone mad when apparently you cannot build a house at Moore Creek because of White Box grassy woodlands but you can build a super mine in the middle of the Breeza plains."

Mr Joyce has staked his political capital on promises to defend the interests of family farms against threats from mining companies, and has opposed overseas government-backed companies owning farmland.

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http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/agriculture-minister-barnaby-joyce-slams-abbott-government-over-shenhua-coal-mine-approval-20150708-gi7yh8.html