The Australian Greens have today welcomed the recognition by mining giant Rio Tinto that a newly-discovered species of tiny crab will need protection from their proposed bauxite mine expansion in Cape York, and look forward to their support for a Greens bill to deliver that protection.
“I am pleased that Rio Tinto has acknowledged that this tiny new crab might not survive their huge bauxite mine expansion and have put some measures in place to attempt to protect it,” Australian Greens mining spokesperson Senator Larissa Waters said.
“The crab and shrimp have no protection under national law - all they have is this voluntary move by Rio Tinto, but we have no idea whether this 200m buffer zone will work.
“Protecting new species is a job for Government and shouldn’t be left up to the whim of mining giants – I’m asking both the old parties to act in the interest of all Australians and back my bill to give emergency protection to new species.
“I’m sure Rio would welcome the regulatory certainty my bill would provide for how to deal with new species, and I look forward to their support for my bill.”
Media contact: Elissa McKay 0419 626 725
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