Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 16 March 2011:

With reference to the Olympic Dam's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Minister's answer to question on notice no. 366 (Senate Hansard, 1 March 2011, p. 874) regarding the proposed expansion of the Olympic Dam, and specifically parts (1) (b) to (d) which state: 'It would therefore not be appropriate to limit the assessment or decision on the basis of a specific rate of mine production':

(1)   Does this leave open the option for the Federal Government to approve a larger scale project, with consequent larger scale impacts, than was assessed in the draft EIS and that underwent public consultation.

(2)   Is this not contrary to the provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to ensure the public is 'properly' informed throughout the environment assessment process.