Adani defers Australian coal project investment decision

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls says the government is consumed by a "bitter internal warfare" and had left Adani's "huge investment" waiting at the altar.

'We have seen that the royalties decision to give Adani free coal has been deferred, so that's an example of what we can do when we stand up and demand our government shows leadership, ' Ms Hurley said.

"Adani is advised that the Queensland cabinet did not consider any submission or make a decision on royalties for the Adani project today", said the firm's spokesman in Australia, Ron Watson.

The federal government, led by Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Arrium earlier this month.

The rail line proposed to connect Queensland's Adani coalmine to a port has not been assessed by Infrastructure Australia, a Senate committee has heard.

"We are in there batting for them, we are in Whyalla to make sure this project goes ahead", he said.

"The order represents around 2% of the Whyalla Steelworks' production, we produce over a million tonne of steel a year here".

The protesters called on the Queensland government to block a billion-dollar federal loan to Adani.

Ms Palaszczuk, a member of the Right, rejected the assertions saying her ministers meet with many people and groups.

It was pointed out that the very same day - May 18 - that it was revealed the Palaszczuk government was planning a $320 million royalty holiday for Adani, senate estimates heard that coral bleaching had resulted in 49% of the corals dying over the last two years. "You can't expect Adani to make a multi-billion dollar decision, if they don't know what tax they will pay".

Meanwhile, a recent report released by an independent body Climate Council of Australia has warned against the project, stating that the Carmichael mine posed serious risks to the environment, public health and North Queensland tourism.

"Adani notes the Queensland government has again foreshadowed a new royalties scheme for all new mining provinces in the state", he said, adding that the company was awaiting a decision on the matter.

The Adani Group entered Australia in 2010 with the purchase of the greenfield Carmichael coal mine in the Galilee Basin in central Queensland, and the Abbot Point port near Bowen in the north.

Opposition frontbencher Scott Emerson labelled the government "indecisive" for not discussing the issue on Monday.

Annastacia Palaszczuk, premier of Queensland, didn't immediately respond to a voicemail request for comment.