Statement from the Minister for Environment

I am very concerned that Barnaby Joyce’s and Matt Canavan’s political campaign reeks of political interference, and may have compromised the integrity of the decision making process.

After a month of multiple requests, the Queensland Government received the CSIRO and GeoScience Australia report less than 30 minutes before the Federal Minister’s announcement.

Adani has also, just today, provided DES with their latest version of the Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Management Plan (GDEMP).

The GDEMP will be considered against Queensland’s own environmental conditions.

Queensland decisions will be made by the environmental regulator, free from political interference.

Based on the CSIRO and GeoScience Australia report, initial advice from DES is that a number of uncertainties remain. This includes whether the GDEMP definitively identifies the source aquifers of the Doongmabulla Springs Complex, which has always been a requirement for state approval.

I also note Minister Price’s statement that the project must meet further stringent conditions of approval from the Commonwealth before it can begin producing coal.

Under the Palaszczuk Government, resources companies have committed to more than $20 billion worth of mining projects in Queensland.

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