A United Nations is asking Australia to consider suspended the Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Project in Queensland until the traditional owners can be convinced to support it.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination last month wrote to Australia's UN ambassador to expressed its concerns that Adani's coal project may violate Indigenous rights under an international convention against racial discrimination.  The letters states that Adani's Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) "might not have been conducted in good faith" and the project "does not enjoy free, prior and informed consent of all Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) people representatives".

UN committee chair Noureddine Amir said, "Accordingly, the committee is concerned that, if the above allegations are corroborated, the realisation of the Carmichael Coal Mine and Rail Project would infringe the rights of the Wangan and Jagalingou people, rights that are protected under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination."

Environment groups hope this will give a shot in the arm to Australia.

"I would hope that in being called out in this way, by an international institution that is an expert in international human rights, that Australia would take that seriously," said Mr. Wagner managing attorney with US-based legal outfit Earth Justice.