The $21 billion Adani coal project has been the focus of state politics, with concerns it may now collapse.

If so, that would be a vital blow to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Joseph Ogilvie reports.

TRANSCRIPT

This week marks the 157th birthday of the Queensland Parliament.

But today was far from a celebration for the government.

Tim Nicholls, Qld Opposition Leader: “The fact that thousands of jobs for Queenslanders hang in the balance, a complete failure of the premier’s leadership?”

The giant Carmichael coal mining project has been put on indefinite hold by its Indian owners Adani, who’ve cited a disagreement over royalties.

Annastacia Palaszczuk, Qld Premier: “I was just asked a question by the treasurer who axed 14,000 jobs in this state.”

The opposition was relentless, blaming Labor’s factions for the failure.

Scott Emerson, Shadow Treasurer: “The left, worried about how this deal would play out in seats like South Brisbane, decided to start a public brawl over the Adani project.”

The government’s only rebuttal was that they weren’t willing to cut a royalties deal.

Deb Frecklington, Deputy Opposition Leader: “Does the deputy premier support Adani’s Carmichael mine?”

Jackie Trad, Deputy Premier: “I am part of a government that supports this project and wants to see the jobs for Queensland. But we made commitments we will not make secret deals.”

It continues to be a divisive project in Queensland, with three people arrested at the Yeerongpilly train station for standing on the tracks and stopping trains to protest the mine.

The opposition’s relentless grilling of the government over this issue, failed to breach their walls, as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and her team deflected away from the questions of what may have cost Queensland 10,000 jobs.

No doubt they’ll be coming under fire again here tomorrow when parliament reconvenes.

Joseph Ogilvie, QUT News.