Senate debates

Wednesday, 12 August 2009

Committees

Environment, Communications and the Arts Reference Committee; Reference

3:46 pm

Photo of John WilliamsJohn Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 2 standing in my name.

Leave granted.

I move the motion, as amended:

That—

(1)
The following matters be referred to the Environment, Communications and the Arts References Committee for inquiry and report by 26 October 2009:
(a)
the potential impacts of current and projected mining operations on all environmental values in the Murray-Darling Basin and, in particular, the potential impacts upon surficial and groundwater flows and quality in the alluvial flood plains at its headwaters in the Namoi Valley and the Darling Downs catchments; and
(b)
evaluation of the potential impacts in the context of the Murray-Darling Plan and agricultural productivity.
(2)
In these terms of reference, ‘mining operations’ includes all minerals exploration and all minerals extraction including exploration for and extraction of gas.

Question agreed to.