Andrew Bartlett (Queensland, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I note the minister’s indication that the assessment process will be coherent, science based, rigorous and transparent. Can he also indicate, given his understandable desire to have a single, efficient process, that he will ensure that that process can be trusted by the people of south-east Queensland? He acknowledged that, given the state government’s absolute determination—it is on the public record—to build these dams no matter what, they are not best placed to conduct any process that can be seen as independent. Will the minister use his powers under the federal environment act to ensure that the process is public and independent, as he has the power to ensure?