Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I appreciate what the minister is saying, but this does not in any way compromise the independence of the authority; it simply requires that a study be done if there is potential damage to the aquatic systems anywhere in the catchment by a mining operation—find out about it first before it is allowed to proceed. I might ask the minister: does she think that an independent assessment of the BHP Billiton proposal at the Breezer Plains ought to be undertaken before that project goes ahead?