Greyhound Australia has cut ties with the Adani Carmichael Rail Network in what it says was in the best interest of its “staff, customers and partners” following backlash from anti-Adani campaigners.
In a statement released yesterday, the bus giant announced it would not renew an agreement with construction company BMD, to transport its workers currently constructing the Carmichael Rail Network.
“Greyhound Australia has received numerous messages, emails and phone calls from people expressing their thoughts both for and against the Carmichael Rail network and Adani Carmichael project,” said the statement.
“Following considered deliberation, and in the best interest of our staff, customers and partners, greyhound Australia has decided not to enter into a contractual agreement with BMD to service construction of the Carmichael Rail Network beyond our preliminary 31 March 2020m commitment.”
Greyhound’s announcement was issued just hours before anti-Adani group, Galilee Blockade were set to protest at Brisbane’s Roma Street bus depot on Wednesday morning, however, the protest has since been called off.
In a statement to NITV News, Galilee Blockade said “Greyhound took a stupid risk but quickly saw sense.
“Most Australians don't want the Adani mine and every single company with a retail brand has listened to their customers and dumped Adani,” said the statement.
“We're already experiencing climate chaos and corporations simply have to take heed of an angry public increasingly willing to risk legal sanction for a liveable climate.
"Sixty five percent of Australians are opposed to Carmichael coal mine and clearly willing to boycott companies in bed with Adani.
"We'll never stop until governments offer regional communities better alternatives than subsidising a dirty dying industry with our money."
Adani Mining CEO Lucas Dow said the company was not intimidated and construction was progressing well.
“The activists’ latest tactic is to boycott other businesses and threaten their livelihoods and intimidate their employees as they have done with Greyhound, who is engaged by one of our subcontractors,” he said.
“This latest tactic will not affect construction of the project as bussing providers from around Queensland are lined up and ready to assist us and our contractors with our transport needs.”
