"AN act of monumental, millennium-shaping stupidity" is how writer and comedian Ben Elton described a proposal to mine coal in the Margaret River region.
Author of 13 books, TV producer, co-writer of cult comedy shows like The Young Ones and the Blackadder series and stand-up comedian, Elton, who holds dual British/Australian citizenship and has a house near Cowaramup, was deadly serious when he addressed about 400 people at a NO COAL!ition fundraiser at Xanadu Winery on Saturday.
"This is a delicate and beautiful part of the world. It’s world famous and potentially it could be world famous for an act of monumental, millennium-shaping stupidity and that really would be a sad message for Australia and Western Australia to send around the world, so we have to make it clear that we will stand up and be counted and make anyone who brings a hammer and pick to this extraordinary place rue the day, because Australia is non-renewable, there is no Planet B and we must stop this madness," Elton said.
The patron of NO COAL!ition launched a savage attack on mining companies that "genuinely would put next year’s profit margin ahead of the decades to come and our children’s future".
He parodied mining companies crying poor when the Federal Government first proposed a tax on extraordinary mining profits, then cited BHP Billiton nine months later reporting $9.5-$10 billion profit in the first half of last year with a projection of more than $22 billion in the entire year - "The most successful net profit in the history of Australian business and just a year after that extraordinary, hysterical scream: ‘don’t take any of our money’."
He warned of the likelyhood of civil disobedience if the Environment Protection Authority later this month and Environment Minister Bill Marmion approve LD Operations’ proposal for an underground coal mine at Osmington.
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“I believe that (of) the pursuit of short-term profit at the expense of long-term health, and indeed wealth of Australia, the former is more important to them (miners) than the latter and that is why this is a fight,” Elton said.
“…it is a fight, ladies and gentlemen, and it’s one that we simply have to win and I would suggest that if this insane debate goes any further we must make it clear that there will be passive resistance within the law, there will be civil disobedience.”
The civil disobedience may have already started, with signs supporting Ben Elton’s and the NO COAL!ition’s view appearing on trees beside Bussell Hwy on the northern approach to Margaret River on Monday and Tuesday mornings.
The evening, supported by many local producers, artists, wineries and businesses which benefit from the region’s international tourism reputation, raised about $40,000 for NO COAL!ition’s fighting fund with a silent auction of donated artworks and items.
Transport Minister and Vasse MP Troy Buswell purchased an imperial of Brookland Valley wine and two giant $200 Riedel glasses. South West MLC Barry House and Federal Forrest MP Nola Marino also attended.
NO COAL!ition spokesman Ian Parmenter said the fight against LDO’s proposed coal mine was about to receive national exposure on the ABC’s Landline program.
Mr Parmenter said he had been interviewed in Perth for the program on Monday morning and a Landline film crew and segment producer where scheduled to visit the region, Mr Parmenter said.
"That’s our biggest challenge, getting this issue out beyond the South West, and beyond Western Australia."
He said NO COAL!ition would wait for the EPA’s decision on the level of environmental assessment required for the LDO proposal was before planning its next move.
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