Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator McAllister. I refer the minister to plans for a new billion-dollar gold and silver mine, which proponents Regis Resources say now is not viable because of an 11th-hour decision to block the project, despite the project having all state and federal environmental approvals in place. Given this massive hit to our regional economy will cost over 800 jobs, does the minister agree with Regis CEO Jim Beyer, who said:

Regis considers this … shatters any confidence that development proponents Australia-wide (both private and public) can have in project approval timelines and outcomes.

Mr Beyer goes on to say that this will affect any project, of any type, anywhere, and ends by finally saying that this decision highlights the increasing sovereign risk of investing in Australia. When will your government stop scaring off investment and killing off jobs?