Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Moore for her supplementary question. There is significant research being conducted into the interaction between mining, coal seam gas extraction and water resources. This is particularly important work which will inform the development of the industry. There are a number of ongoing research projects relating to CSG.

The coal seam gas industry is strictly regulated by the Australian government where matters protected under national environmental law are likely to be significantly affected, such as the three coal seam gas projects in Queensland. These projects are subject to around 300 federal conditions relating to water, stipulating that the companies must test and monitor every relevant aquifer to verify whether or not they are hydraulically connected. The environment minister, in granting the approval with conditions, has demanded that companies have to test and monitor every aquifer for connectivity. It is also why the minister has set up an expert scientific panel to assess the company's plan— (Time expired)