Larissa Waters Queensland, Australian Greens
7:31 pm
I move:
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) Adani Mining has received a criminal conviction in relation to giving false and misleading information to the regulator in relation to unlawful clearing activities, and
(ii) criminal convictions are a trigger under section 145 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 for review and revocation of approvals granted under that Act; and
(b) calls on the Federal Government to revoke Adani's environmental approvals related to its Carmichael Coal mine.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries
Advice to government is that the fine issued to Adani by the Brisbane Magistrates Court is not relevant to the power to revoke approvals section 145 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, as it relates to noncompliance with a Queensland requirement and not an EPBC Act requirement. The federal government approved Adani's Carmichael mine in 2015, and Adani has now met all EPBC approval conditions to start extracting coal. Unlike others in this chamber who've treated this project with antimining hysteria, the federal government has taken a considered approach that will see this project proceed whilst meeting rigorous environmental standards.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
7:32 pm
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Labor will not be supporting the motion. Approvals for any project must be in accordance with relevant Commonwealth, state and territory laws, and ministers must abide by these laws when exercising the powers available to them. The Senate is not the place to pick and choose the approval or otherwise of particular projects.
Scott Ryan President
The question is that motion No. 409, moved by Senator Waters, be agreed to.