Leeanne Enoch appears in video posted by anti-Adani protesters but disputes version of events

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Queensland’s environment minister says she is devastated at the impact the Adani mine debate has had on the region’s Indigenous people.

Leeanne Enoch was filmed in Cairns days after her department approved the Indian mining giant’s plans saying “I am devastated” when a Stop Adani protester asked about the approval.

The snippet on the Stop Adani Cairns Facebook page appears to show Enoch telling the activist she had to obey the law, two days after Adani won approval for the mine in the Galilee Basin in central Queensland.

Asked by the activist if Enoch was going to “fight for us”, she replied: “Absolutely, every day”.

Enoch says the exchange happened after she was approached by a woman who introduced herself as a union member and asked for a photo of the two of them.

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At the last minute the woman lifted up a layer of clothing to reveal she was wearing a Stop Adani T-shirt.

“She asked me how I felt about the way traditional owners have been affected by the Adani mine, to which I responded, ‘devastated’,” the minister said in a statement.

Enoch said she was particularly devastated about how the mining issue had divided traditional owners.

“I understand this is an issue that people care a great deal about and I am devastated at how this project has been used as a weapon to divide our state.”

The minister said she and her family have been subject to offensive comments and their safety threatened since the decision was made.

Enoch insists the decision was made by her department and did not involve herself or other cabinet members.