Subsidising Adani coal rail link would be unwise
The Abbott Government has been in talks with Queensland Treasurer, Curtis Pitt, about a 388km rail line, which would stretch from Adani's Carmichael coal mine, in central Queensland, to coal terminals at Abbot Point, near the Great Barrier Reef. The Federal Treasurer, Joe Hockey, hinted at a taxpayer-funded loan to finance the project, which has prompted debate from coal opponents. Connie Hedegaard, the former European Commissioner for Climate Action said the proposed subsidies for a rail line to Australia's largest proposed coal mine would not be wise, pointing out that other nations with large coal reserves, such as Germany, had agreed to phase out subsidies for fossil fuels&nbsp;at the G20 Summit.&nbsp;
Abbott government subsidies for the coal industry including the proposed mega-mines of Queensland's Galilee basin would not be "wise", says Connie Hedegaard, the former European Commissioner for Climate Action.

On Tuesday, Treasurer Joe Hockey said the government had been in talks with Queensland state counterparts on Adani Group's proposed Carmichael coal mine.

Connie Hedegaard, international climate expert and former EU Commissioner for Climate Action.

The discussions focused on a 388-kilometre rail line the Indian mining company would build from its giant mine at Abbot Point near the Great Barrier Reef.

"One of the things they are looking at is how we can ensure that the railway line remains financially viable. I can't give away too many details, but we are working away at that," Mr Hockey told ABC radio on Monday.