Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business (House)) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister for the Environment and Energy. I refer to reports that Adani tampered with scientific evidence in relation to contamination of sensitive wetlands with coal-laden water. Is the government investigating this matter, who is conducting the investigation and will it report publicly?

Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The shadow minister knows that is a state matter. We on this side of the House conducted the most rigorous environmental assessment on the Adani mine, and it led to 36 of the strictest requirements. As a result of the Adani mine's going ahead, thousands of people will be employed in regional Queensland, in Mackay, in Hughenden and in Townsville—and where are those opposite standing up for workers in their electorates? In fact, the Leader of the Opposition once said that Adani should go ahead. He was in favour of the Adani project, but because Mr Feeney, the then member for Batman, lost his homework and subsequently resigned from his seat, and now they're in a battle with the Greens, he's had to move his policies to the left in order to placate the green left flank of the Labor Party. It's a state matter. We continue to impose the most rigorous environmental assessments.