Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the environment minister, I say it is not the place of the Senate to dictate land-use decisions in New South Wales. Australia's government involvement in this project is limited to matters of national environmental significance and, appropriately, the project is being assessed in accordance with requirements of national environmental law.

Minister Hunt has visited the Liverpool Plains and is keenly aware of the community's concerns. On Friday, Minister Hunt announced he would stop the clock on Australian government assessment of the project and requested additional advice from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development.

This will ensure that any decision made under national environmental law is based on the best available science. Minister Hunt takes his responsibility under the national environmental law very seriously and seeking this further information will ensure that the assessment is robust and based on the best possible scientific information. The minister has assured the community that no decision will be made until he has had time to fully consider all relevant information.