Antinuclear

Australia’s anti coal and gas activists are within their rights to claim charity status

Anti-mining activists say they are within their rights to claim charity status ABC Rural By Babs McHugh  19 Feb 15, “……. Anti-mining and gas group says it’s fighting for all Australians

Phil Laird is the national coordinator of Lock The Gate, an anti-coal mining and anti-coal seam gas industries group which has charitable status.

“What we’re doing is we’re supporting legitimate business such as those on the Liverpool Plains,” he said, in reference to the Shenhua Watermark coal mine that has recently been given the green light by the New South Wales Government.

“We’re working on behalf of Australians.”

Mr Laird said LTG members were furious about the call by the NSW Minerals Council to strip them of their charity status.

“What Lock the Gate does is provide an umbrella group for community groups that need a voice at the national and political level,” he said.

Although the group has long been protesting at the site of mining projects that have passed all state and federal requirements and criteria, Mr Laird is adamant they are within the original spirit of the definition of a charity, which is to “do no harm”.

“It’s the laws that need to change,” he said. “What we’re advocating for is for local communities, to protect their homes and their families and their livelihoods.

“We do that every day and anyone that thinks protecting farmland and water aquifers is doing harm is obviously on the wrong page.” http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-18/calls-for-activists-to-be-stripped-of-charity-status/6130604

February 20, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News