Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Waters for that question. Firstly, Adani Mining's announcement of 29 November that it will fully fund its Carmichael mine and rail infrastructure project ends the uncertainty on financing for this project. The project is subject to over 180 environmental conditions from Commonwealth and state regulators. The conditions fully implement the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development advice. The government is committed to ensuring that important projects such as this progress in a way which also protects the environment. Expert advice is being sought from Geoscience Australia and the CSIRO on Adani's groundwater plans, to ensure that water sources are properly protected. Adani's North Galilee's water scheme is being assessed under the EPBC Act for significant impacts on listed threatened species and ecological communities. The scheme includes a dam and pipeline and will use an existing surface water licence from Queensland.

Directly to the question, an assessment of the project is now being undertaken before a decision is made about whether the proposal can proceed under national environmental law. There will be an opportunity for public comment during the assessment of the project. The government is applying the law to this project just like it would to any other project. Labor, of course, has done nothing in relation to this but play politics with this mine, whether that's saying they oppose it to win inner city seats or saying they support it when they're campaigning in Queensland, and the Greens of course are no better. Unlike the Labor opposition and the Greens, the coalition is not going to play politics with this project. We have been clear that we support developments like this mine, subject to appropriate environmental approvals.