Sue Boyce (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

'Greenhouse gases' is the interjection. These projects will generate between $1.4 billion and $2.8 billion per year in gross regional product for Queensland. They will boost employment, with 3,500 jobs during the construction phase and an operational force of about 600 in the end. These are projects that Queensland needs. These are projects that can be managed both economically and environmentally.

We do not need the Greens patronising the Queensland state government by suggesting that the government that relies, firstly, on mining and, secondly, on tourism for its income is not interested in what will happen to the Great Barrier Reef. I find the Greens comments in this area immoral. If they are going to talk about actions by Minister Hunt as 'crimes against humanity' then their exaggerated and overblown comments in this area constitute immorality. I congratulate the federal government, the Minister for the Environment and the state government for the work they have done to finally bring these projects to fruition for the benefit of all Queenslanders, particularly those in the regions and those who live along the coast that is bordered by the Great Barrier Reef.

Debate interrupted.