Anthony Albanese has called for an overhaul of the environmental regulations for mining projects amid an “extraordinarily long” 13-year fight to expand the New Acland coalmine in Queensland.
The push from the Opposition Leader raises the chances of bipartisan support for overhauls to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, with a review into the green regulations to be made public within a week.
With pro-coal federal Labor MPs pushing the Palaszczuk government to approve the $900m mine expansion despite it facing a High Court challenge, Mr Albanese hit out at the “prolonged period” mining companies were enduring before getting the regulatory go-ahead for new projects.
“We support jobs and we support the resources sector. It seems to me common sense tells you that 13 years is an extraordinary long period of time,” Mr Albanese told 4BC radio.
“We need to do much better, I think, at ensuring there are appropriate environmental safeguards in place, but making sure, as well, that you don’t have such a prolonged period for the approval of what is an expansion of a project.”
Legal challenges by a coalition of farmers and environmentalists have delayed finalisation of the approvals process for the mine extension in the Darling Downs, which could now take another 18 months in the face of the High Court appeal.
Mr Albanese would not go as far as urging the Queensland Labor government to approve the project before the finalisation of the High Court challenge.
“It is a matter for the Queensland government of how they deal with that, and I can understand that they’re in a difficult circumstance,” Mr Albanese said.
Labor MP and former state party secretary Milton Dick, the brother of Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick, has broken ranks with other pro-coal federal MPs in backing the Palaszczuk government’s handling of the mine extension. The move puts Mr Dick at odds with fellow Queensland Right MPs Shayne Neumann and Anthony Chisholm, who urged Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to expedite the mine’s extension.
“I fully support Anthony Albanese’s call for the overhaul of environmental regulations. I agree with him that 13 years is way too long for this expansion,” Mr Dick said. “However this is a state matter and due process should be followed. I have full confidence in the way the state is handling this matter.”
Opposition resources spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon last week said the Queensland government could immediately approve the stalled New Acland coal project, controlled by the New Hope Group, even though it is subject to litigation in the High Court.
Labor environment spokeswoman Terri Butler, from the Queensland Left, said delays in project approvals had “exploded” under the Morrison government.
“Late project decisions blew out to 40 per cent on their watch, up from 14 per cent when they came to office,” Ms Butler said.
“Environmental approvals need to be done efficiently and without delay.
“If it’s a good project, it should go ahead because projects delayed are jobs and investment delayed.”
Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the government was “getting rid of backlogs in the system”.
“We are fast tracking major projects in record time and we are reviewing the Act,” Ms Ley said.
Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane accused Mr Albanese of “straddling both sides of the fence”.
“Either you think the government needs to get on and approve it or you don’t,” he said.
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