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

My question without notice goes to the Minister representing the Minister for the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. I ask regarding the wild rivers protection in Queensland of Cooper Creek and Diamantina River, which provide, with the Georgina River, 90 per cent of the inflow to Lake Eyre in South Australia. The traditional owners have 100 per cent support for wild rivers protection. I ask the minister: in view of the clear intention of Campbell Newman, the Leader of the Opposition in Queensland, to throw over that protection, allowing the onrush of coal seam gas exploitation, what is the federal government doing to protect these extremely important catchments in line with the wishes of the traditional owners?