On September 4, an international day of action, activists from Galilee Blockade protested outside the headquarters of insurance giant AON over its support for Adani鈥檚 coal mine in the Galilee Basin in Central Queensland.
An activist attempted to deliver a petition, signed by 57,400 people from around the world, calling on AON to stop its search for risk insurance to cover that is building Adani鈥檚 railway to Point Abbot.
The petition was initiated by consumer聽watchdog SumOfUs.
The insurance聽policies聽of Adani鈥檚 key contractors are due for renewal聽soon which is why activists have stepped up the pressure on AON to join dozens of other major insurance聽companies聽to rule out supporting thermal聽coal mining.
CEO of AON James Baum refused to leave office on the 25th floor to accept the petitions. The police arrived after an hour and, after some discussion, we left.聽
Meanwhile, the on August 27 that Adani secretly sought leave to have the home of activist Ben Pennings raided. Adani and its Carmichael Rail Network applied for a search order against Pennings in June, claiming he had possession of 鈥渃onfidential information鈥 which was being used in a campaign of 鈥渋ntimidation and conspiracy鈥 against the Galilee Basin coal project.
The Court of Appeal rejected their request, claiming the evidence was 鈥渨holly inadequate to justify the order sought鈥. It also raised concerns about the impact of a search order on Pennings鈥 partner and children.
Nevertheless, Adani is pursing civil damages, while the Courier Mail in Queensland and the Sunday Mail continue to publish multiple spreads on Pennings鈥 alleged 鈥渆coterrorism鈥.
Galilee Blockade has set up over secret contracts with Adani鈥檚 coal mine. Adani has admitted that the campaign against its mine in Central Queensland has already had an impact with Downer Mining, Greyhound Australia and AECOM 聽withdrawing agreements.