Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Whish-Wilson. The government very much understands the concerns of many in the local community about this particular project, and that's why we took the position that we did. But it's not my intention to jeopardise an administrative decision, which is yet to be made, by speculating about what may or may not happen and what decision may or may not be made. I've said repeatedly in answer to your questions that NOPTA has finalised its advice for both the New South Wales and Australian governments. That advice is now being considered by the relevant departments. For me to speculate on what the outcome of that might be would be risky and would potentially create avenues for legal action, which we don't want to provide. We want to make this decision properly, in accordance with the law and in accordance with good process, and I have no doubt that a decision will be made as soon as possible.