Bob Katter (Kennedy, Katter's Australian Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Environment minister, the latest Spectator cover page 'Chalumbin, the new Franklin' details Queensland's in principle approval of 86 wind turbines, each 308 feet high. Minister, won't it destroy 3,000 acres of periphery jungle, kill birdlife, cost taxpayers a fortune and generate minuscule electricity, and its working life is only 19 years? Whilst applauding your break on Chalumbin, wouldn't you agree with environment professor Nevard that Chalumbin transforms 200 kilometres of nature wonderland into an industrial wasteland?

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to thank the member for Kennedy for his question today. He has spoken to me on many occasions about the Chalumbin wind farm. I know that his interest in the local environment there is absolutely sincere. He has referred to an article in the Spectator. He did me the courtesy of sending it around just before question time. It's an article that criticises investment in the wind farm in favour of nuclear power. We're not a party that believes that nuclear power is great for the environment.

Going to the individual instance of the Chalumbin wind farm that he has raised: as I've said to him before, given that this is currently before me as a decision-maker, I'm not able to comment—

Hon. Members:

Honourable members interjecting—

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Fairfax and the minister—

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Have you completed your answer?

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I thought you were drawing the attention of the chamber.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was saying the minister and the member for Fairfax can cease their interjections. My apologies.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm sorry. I thought you were asking me to take a seat while you quietened them down! I want to say to the member for Kennedy, as I have said to him before, I can't comment on individual projects. I make these two general sets of comments. Queensland can absolutely be a—

Sussan Ley (Farrer, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Women) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When are you rolling Albo?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Deputy Leader of the Opposition knows that is inappropriate and will cease interjecting or will be warned.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

How's your preselection going?

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The minister will return to the question.

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There are two general things that I can say to the member for Kennedy. The first is that Queensland can be a renewable energy superpower. We know that Queensland is perfectly placed for investment in solar, wind, hydro—indeed, it's great for renewable energy and the jobs that come with renewable energy that the Treasurer is so concerned about.

However, we know that this investment has to meet our environmental objectives as well. Climate change is a huge threat to the environment, but we know that individual projects also need to meet the environmental standards that we expect from these large developments, because we know that, of course, these sorts of large developments can have significant impacts.

Can I reassure the member for Kennedy about one issue he has also raised with me in the past. When it comes to renewable energy, he has talked to me about the impact of solar panels and other household renewable energy products. We have just held consultation on recycling for solar panels and small electric goods, because we know that our renewable energy future comes with it a responsibility to environmental issues today.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister for infrastructure and the member for New England will cease their conversation across the chamber.