Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Milne for her question and acknowledge she has a longstanding interest in EPBC issues. The advice which I have been provided with is this, Senator Milne: that a referral was received on 31 July from Waratah Coal Inc. for the proposed coal development under the act, and the minister has yet to make a determination on this proposal. Obviously some of the issues you raise may be amongst those the minister will have to consider in the context of that EPBC consideration. I am advised that the proposal will be closely examined for potential impacts in areas such as Commonwealth Defence land, the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area, the Shoalwater and Corio Bays Ramsar sites—I think two of those were mentioned in the senator’s question—and on habitats for listed threatened and migratory species. I am also advised that the public were invited to comment on the referral for a period of 10 business days which ended on 14 August. It is the case that the government and this minister are committed to proper and transparent administration of the EPBC Act and, because of her interest in these issues, the senator will no doubt be aware that the minister’s decision is within the context of a statutory framework and he has to have regard to issues under the act accordingly.