Glenn Lazarus (Queensland, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Since commencing my role in the Senate, I have watched the Abbott government break promise after promise. In my home state of Queensland, we have endured harsh budget cuts not only at a federal level but also at the state level. Across Queensland, all levels of government have let the people of Queensland down. CSG mining has been allowed to expand at an alarming rate, damaging the environment, water, soil, land and air. Of further concern, it is also impacting the health of farmers and landowners across the state.

The people of Queensland need increased investment in health and education, not cuts. We need additional resources allocated to support the people of Queensland who have been, and continue to be, impacted by the toxic effects of CSG mining. People are experiencing migraines, skin complaints, blood noses, breathing issues and other chronic health conditions. The chemicals used in CSG mining are known to cause serious health problems, including cancer. Landowners affected by CSG mining cannot afford doctors to assist them. I call on the government to do the right thing and allocate increased funding to the health sector; get medical teams out to regional and rural areas of Australia to treat people who are becoming sick from CSG mining; set up an independent testing centre; and start conducting proper comprehensive tests to determine the level of contamination that is occurring in people, animals, water, soil and the air as a result of CSG mining. These people need help. No-one is listening to them. The government must stop turning a blind eye and do something now to help all Australians affected by CSG mining.