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

The government are aware of the importance of preserving water quality throughout the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority's proposed approach has the government's full support. The matter can best be resolved through a transparent, comprehensive and cooperative consideration of the alternatives to the disposal of this untreated water, including the option of discharging treated water from the tailings dams. QNPL does not have a Great Barrier Reef Marine Park permit to discharge waste water from the tailings dams. If there is anything further that the minister would like to add, I will take that on notice.