John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

The government would like to clarify that we oppose the motion just voted on because it does not accurately reflect the environmental approval processes for coal or coal seam gas projects. The government has made it clear that in respect of the Liverpool Plains it is taking the advice of the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development. That committee was established by the former government with the support of the coalition and the Greens. However, the Greens seem to lack an understanding of the word 'independent'.

The government has requested that the committee respond directly to questions raised by the community but it will not tell the independent committee how to do its job, as the Greens have suggested in this motion. To do so would taint the work of the independent committee. The government is carefully considering the impacts of proposed projects in the Liverpool Plains area and it will assess these impacts consistent with Australia's stringent environmental laws.