Barnaby Joyce (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I would like to state for the record in reflection on what Senator Ludwig said that we have not found the process of the EPBC Act open and accountable or able to be audited. It is a process that has been under question right from the word go. This is a peculiarity, in that on one of the most unsuitable sites for a dam in Queensland they are proposing the expenditure of multiple billions of dollars of what ultimately would be taxpayers’ revenue. The Snowy Mountains water commission says that it is one of the most unsuitable sites for a dam. There are huge problems with evaporation and huge problems with seepage. This will completely decimate the economy of the valley and also cause huge problems for the ecology of the river. This is something that Mr Garrett does have the potential to stop. I hope that Mr Garrett shows his true credential in how he acts on this, which is one of the most vital issues for this part of the coast.