Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, Senator Heffernan did take up that issue after I raised it in the chamber, and I completely agree with him on that front. I think this committee should expand out its consideration of impacts not just on water resources but to coal and coal seam gas on the environment full stop. I understand the minister's office may have something to say in that regard shortly and I await that with great interest. Without further ado, I seek leave to move amendments (3), (5), (7), (8) and (9) on sheet 7233.

Leave granted.

I move:

(3)   Schedule 1, item 4, page 5 (line 13), before "within", insert "on its own initiative or".

(5)   Schedule 1, item 4, page 5 (line 18), before "within", insert "on its own initiative or".

(7)   Schedule 1, item 4, page 5 (lines 24 to 32), omit paragraph 505D(1)(c), substitute:

  (c)   on its own initiative or at the request of the Environment Minister—to provide advice to the Environment Minister about:

     (i)   how bioregional assessments should be conducted in areas where coal seam gas development or large coal mining development is being carried out or is proposed; and

     (ii)   priority areas in which bioregional assessments should be undertaken; and

(ca)   at the request of the Environment Minister—to provide advice to the Environment Minister about bioregional assessments commissioned by the Minister;

(8)   Schedule 1, item 4, page 5 (line 33), before "at", insert "on its own initiative or".

(9)   Schedule 1, item 4, page 6 (line 22), before "at", insert "on its own initiative or".