Media Release
Shadow Environment Minister, Jackie Trad, says law changes rammed through State Parliament by the Newman Government mean the government will remove any objection rights on environmental conditions in the Land Court on major mining projects.
“The government claims to be listening has effectively legislated away legal avenues for Queenslanders to object on environmental grounds to major projects,” Ms Trad said.
“This is in addition to the other changes in this bill that removed public notification and objection rights on mining lease applications, removed consultation on environmental authorities and changed the restricted land framework at the expense of landholders.
“What is the point of the Newman Government saying it is listening when it legislates away rights for Queenslanders to have a say?"
“This week it used its huge majority to force through laws gagging anyone from objecting on the basis of environmental concerns about the approval process for major mining projects."
“The changes the government made to the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 were in addition to other changes included in this bill that removed landholder and community objection rights against mining projects."
The Opposition and other Non-Government MPs voted against this legislation.
“Minister Cripps arrogantly rammed through the amendments without any explanation and denied all Queenslanders a say through a proper consultation process,” Ms Trad said.
“They mean nobody can object to the environmental conditions on huge mining projects that are deemed by the government to be ‘coordinated projects’ or projects undergoing an ‘impact assessment report’ under the State Development Public Works Organisation Act 1971."
“So Queenslanders wanting to legally object to, for example, the environmental conditions of a major uranium or coal mine in the state will not be able to do so."
“The change directly contradicts assurance Mr Cripps gave previously."
“They mean no objections will be tolerated if the government itself thinks approval conditions address environmental concerns.”
Ms Trad said the amendments ran to 68 pages and were dropped on MPs on Tuesday night in the middle of debate on a 376-page Bill amending fourteen pieces of legislation.
“These are not the actions of a government that listens,” she said.
“These are not the actions of a government that seeks balance when it comes to approving major projects."
“These are the actions of an arrogant government that will not tolerate any dissenting voices no matter how valid the concerns people hold."
“All Queenslanders should know the Newman Government is simply not listening and will use its huge majority to do what it likes regardless of the cost to our environment."
“It needs to be sent a strong message about its arrogance and failure to listen,” Ms Trad said.
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