David Crisafulli blasts Albanese government's environment law deal with 'radical' Greens
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has slammed federal Labor-Greens environmental reforms as ‘disastrous’, saying they will undermine the state’s resources industry and future prosperity.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has labelled the Albanese government’s environment deal with the “radical” Greens as “disastrous” for the state’s resources industry.
Mr Crisafulli said the amendments to the Environmental Protection Reform Bill to exclude coal and gas from streamlining provisions afforded to non-energy and renewables projects would put the state’s ability to deliver for the state at risk, and stop Queensland from reaching its full potential.
“It’s disastrous with a capital D, and to think that we could be held to the mercy of a radical greens movement in Canberra when we’re trying to build roads, deliver infrastructure, and secure the future of the mining industry,” he said.
“I just can’t believe we’ve reached the point where that could be the case.
“They deliberately pause, distract, delay until eventually the project doesn’t happen. That’s what this does: it opens the door to it. It sends a shiver down my spine.”
Mr Crisafulli said he’d spoken to his federal counterparts about the reforms, and they ultimately decided against striking a deal with the Labor government.
The comments follow the Liberal National Party state government’s eleventh-hour plea on Wednesday to Environment Minister Murray Watt to abandon the reforms, which it said were a “retrograde step that would put Queensland jobs at risk”.
In a letter to Senator Watts on Tuesday, Queensland Mines and Natural Resources Minister Dale Last said the Labor-Greens amendments to exclude coal and gas projects from fast-track approvals would undermine investor confidence and destabilise the country’s energy security.
Some leading industry and business bodies have issued scathing assessments of the federal deal expected to pass on the final parliamentary sitting day of the year. The negotiations with the minor party also ensured greater protection for native forests.
Queensland Resources Council chief executive Janette Hewson said the reforms would create duplication and excessive regulation, putting projects at risk. “This deal sends a message that the contributions coal, natural gas, metals and minerals deliver to Queensland are undervalued.
“These projects will bring energy security through gas and coal, support advanced manufacturing for future-facing products, and provide the minerals and metals for the energy transition, including steelmaking coal for wind turbines and copper for solar panels and batteries.”
The Crisafulli government has opened nine gas tenements across the state and pledged to keep the state’s coal fleet operating.
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