A RENOWNED political adviser will be in Toowoomba this Sunday for a community forum on coal mining.

Guy Pearse was a lobbyist and speechwriter for the Howard Government and past adviser to environment minister Robert Hill.

Forum organiser Dr Libby Connors said Mr Pearse was one of Australia’s leading scholars on the mining sector’s

“improper influence on government decision making”.

“I couldn’t think of a better person to address Toowoomba communities who have been shocked to find extensive exploration leases granted over their lands by governments without consultation,” she said.

“I invited Guy to come to Toowoomba and am delighted that he has been in a position to accept in the midst of his busy research schedule.’

The forum will be co-hosted by the Lock the Gate Alliance and representatives from Toowoomba Coal Mine Action Group.

It is being held at 2pm this Sunday at the Allison Dickson Lecture Theatre at USQ.