Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Waters for that question. Let me say at the outset that the government is unapologetic about our commitment to building a stronger economy to create more jobs, to create opportunities for people right across Australia and to do so in a way that is environmentally sustainable. This is of course why, after a rigorous assessment, two projects have indeed been approved by the Minister for the Environment at the port of Abbot Point: the Abbot Point coal terminal 0 project and the Abbot Point capital dredging project. It is important to note here that the port of Abbot Point is an existing, well-established coal port in the Great Barrier Reef. Some of the strictest conditions in Australian history—