Strong moral case for Adani project: Australian minister

Says it will help lift hundreds of millions of people out of energy poverty

Australian government has defended its decision to grant re-approval to mining giant Adani's $16.5-billion controversial coal mine project on moral grounds, saying it will help lift hundreds of millions of people out of energy poverty. The project located in Queensland's Galilee Basin was last month granted a new approval by Australian environment minister Greg Hunt with green groups immediately threatening a new legal action.

The mine, which would be the biggest in Australia, was approved subject to 36 strict conditions after a Federal Court action sidelined the project earlier this year because of its impact on the ornamental snake and yakka skink, a vulnerable species that hides under rocks.

Energy minister Josh Frydenberg said the project would create "thousands of jobs" and result in more than $15 billion in investment flowing into regional communities. "Most importantly of all it will help lift hundreds of millions of people out of energy poverty, not just in India but right across the world," he told the ABC News. "I think there is a strong moral case here."