Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I am not sure if the CIA are involved directly in this particular issue! Others have suggested they are, but I would not want to go there! Certainly, though, that would be of concern!

But this proposal, as I said, is being assessed jointly. This process will ensure that impacts on nationally protected species, including the black-throated finch, are appropriately assessed and protected against. One of the proposed mining areas fully encompasses the Bimblebox Nature Refuge, part of the National Reserve System, and the property was purchased by a group of Central Queensland residents with the support of a $314,600 grant from the National Heritage Trust from Australian government funding in August 2000. It would be of significant concern to this government if Clive Palmer and his cohorts in Queensland were in charge of this process. We will be very carefully making sure that all rules and laws are complied with. (Time expired)