Brisbane, 30 September 2015 - Greenpeace is questioning the Queensland Labor Government’s commitment to protecting the Reef after documents revealed they may allow laws that give mining companies unrestricted and unscrutinised access to underground water in the Reef catchment.
“If these reforms proceed, Resources Minister Anthony Lynham and the Palaszczuk government will be indistinguishable from the former LNP government that introduced these laws; they’ll be removing longstanding community rights at the bidding of mining companies.
“The Galilee Basin coal mines are proposing to take huge quantities of groundwater in an area with springs and oasis and within the Reef catchment. These reforms will rule out scrutiny of the impacts.
“This is the legislative equivalent of burying their heads in the sand and letting mining companies do what they want.
“The Palaszczuk government has recognised that public objection rights and community scrutiny of decisions makes them stronger and more likely to serve in the interests of all Queenslanders, but these water reforms do exactly the opposite and remove public participation,” she said.
ENDS
“These water reforms have the sole purpose of allowing big miners unfettered access to underground water at the expense of the Reef, regional communities, ecosystems and farmers,” said Shani Tager, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Reef Campaigner.
“If these reforms proceed, Resources Minister Anthony Lynham and the Palaszczuk government will be indistinguishable from the former LNP government that introduced these laws; they’ll be removing longstanding community rights at the bidding of mining companies.
“The Galilee Basin coal mines are proposing to take huge quantities of groundwater in an area with springs and oasis and within the Reef catchment. These reforms will rule out scrutiny of the impacts.
“This is the legislative equivalent of burying their heads in the sand and letting mining companies do what they want.
“The Palaszczuk government has recognised that public objection rights and community scrutiny of decisions makes them stronger and more likely to serve in the interests of all Queenslanders, but these water reforms do exactly the opposite and remove public participation,” she said.
ENDS