Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) the Queensland Government has announced that it will use Queensland taxpayer funds to pay resource companies and port developers to dump dredge spoil in an area which would affect the nationally significant Caley Valley wetlands near Abbot Point,

(ii) this proposal would shift the costs of building the world's largest coal port in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area from mining companies and port developers to Queensland taxpayers, and

(iii) the Queensland Government has indicated that it will ask the Federal Government to contribute to the cost of paying resource companies and port developers; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to rule out allowing federal taxpayer funds to be used to pay resource companies or port developers to meet their obligations under environmental approvals, including at Abbot Point.

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

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

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

The previous, Labor-Greens alliance government developed a proposal for Abbot Point to the tune of 38 million cubic metres of dredge spoil. Where were the critics and outrage then, one might ask. This is yet another example of the Greens moving the goalposts for their own purposes. Crying foul since the day this government assumed office, they cannot abide the fact that this government is on track to deliver better environmental outcomes than the government that they were in league with.

This government has been listening to the public and is taking action to minimise impacts on the Great Barrier Reef. Both the Queensland and Commonwealth governments have been working with ports along the Queensland coast, including at Abbot Point, to hear about and develop better approaches. The government is not aware of any approach by the Queensland government to use federal funds.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 459 moved by Senator Waters be agreed to.