Queensland Sues Mining Giant to Recover $66 Million Green Energy Grant

The project promised to prop up power supply and create thousands of Queensland jobs.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie (L) and Premier David Crisafulli arrive to talk to media after being sworn in at Government House in Brisbane, Australia, on Oct. 28, 2024. AAP Image/Jono Searle

After describing a proposed green energy plan as a “pipedream,” the Queensland LNP government has now filed legal action to recover funds paid to mining giant Fortescue for a project approved by the former Labor government.

The state government has lodged a case with the Supreme Court of Queensland to recoup $65.97 million in green grants from Fortescue Metals Group under the premise the company did not follow through with commitments tied to its mothballed electrolyser factory in Gladstone in central Queensland.