LNP Queensland

Resource projects threatened by Labor

Last Updated (DATE_FORMAT_LC2) DATE_FORMAT_LC2

7 September, 2008

Queensland resource projects worth billions of dollars and thousands of new jobs were being put at risk by short-term Labor politics, the State Opposition warned today.

LNP mines and energy spokesman Jeff Seeney said science-based environmental risk assessment had been dumped by Labor with Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett ruling against Waratah Coal’s $5.3 billion Shoalwater Bay project.

"Labor is putting short-term politics and Mr Garrett’s personal interests ahead of due and proper environmental process and it risks Queensland being painted as a place to stay clear of for mineral and resource projects," Mr Seeney said.

"Queensland mining policy is now being driven by Labor Party Headquarters in Peel Street, South Brisbane. It’s being driven by polling in ALP-held marginal seats and it’s ignoring the environmental and social impact studies that should be carried out before major projects are either ruled in or ruled out."

Mr Seeney said it was ironic that only a few weeks ago the Premier heralded the Waratah project as another major mining-infrastructure-export-jobs win for Queensland before any detail had been established and before environmental impact studies had been done.

"But clearly again, ALP pollsters have picked up the phone as said dump it and Garrett has obliged within a fortnight."

Mr Seeney said while mining companies took all the sovereign risk for projects and were expected to pay royalties to State Treasury, Labor was saying take all the risk but we won’t bother with accountable environmental and social impact studies in marginal seats.

"Basically the Premier is saying that between now and the election forget about any project requiring an EIS in an ALP marginal seat."