Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Wong. I refer to yesterday's Twitter announcement by Ms Plibersek that she will block Central Queensland Coal's application to operate a coalmine 130 kilometres from Rockhampton. How many people would have been employed at the mine, and what would its economic impact have been for Queensland and Australia if it had been approved?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the senator for the question. I understand from media reports that this is a coalmine Mr Palmer has some interest in. I understand that yesterday Ms Plibersek, as the relevant minister, made a decision in relation to this mine. The minister, obviously, is empowered for this under the legislation, which has been in place for many years. My recollection is that there were changes made to it by Senator Hill when he was environment minister in a coalition government.

The minister is required to decide every project on a case-by-case basis, as she is required to do by law. I understand from public statements—and I assume there was a release of appropriate documentation—that she has not approved the project because the risks to the Great Barrier Reef, freshwater creeks and groundwater are too great. The—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator McDonald?

Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point of order is relevance. We know the background of the question. I have asked specifically about the employment and economic impact on Queensland.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator McDonald. You also referred to the Twitter feed, I think, of the minister.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm very happy to talk about Queensland jobs. The Great Barrier Reef contributes approximately $6 billion to the Australian economy and 64,000 jobs. But they're clearly not the jobs you want to ask about, are they?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, please resume your seat. Senator McDonald.

Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I appreciate that you don't like high-vis jobs, Senator Wong. My question was about how many people—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McDonald, when you stand on a point of order, please say it's a point of order. That's not a point of order. Minister Wong, please continue.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I certainly enjoyed Senator Canavan wearing high-vis around his backyard—his very dangerous backyard!—while he was putting up his clothes line.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You talked about high-vis jobs. You made the interjection; I'll respond.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Wong, please resume your seat. Senator Scarr, I already have Senator McDonald on her feet. I will go to her and then, if necessary, I will come to you. Senator McDonald.

Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My point of order is on relevance—and on respecting the chamber and the process of answering the question asked.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator McDonald. I will remind the minister of your question.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am very happy to respond to the senator, because I wasn't the one who did that. If you're going to do that, you're going to get a response, aren't you? Senator McDonald, the minister has, obviously, considered the impacts on the environment and employment— (Time expired)

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I have a senator on her feet waiting to ask a question. Senator McDonald.

Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, what is the government's alternative plan and solution to replace all of the lost energy production, the jobs and the direct and indirect investment that would otherwise have been generated across Queensland and the nation if this mine had been approved?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, please resume your seat—

Order! Senator Watt, I have a senator on his feet. Order across the chamber! Senator Scarr.

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President, Senator Watt made a reflection—he impugned the motives of Senator McDonald with respect to asking questions. He said, 'You're still asking questions for Clive.' That impugns the motive of the senator. He should withdraw.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Scarr, please resume your seat.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Senator Ruston, I've called order at least three times and you continue to shout out. That is disrespectful. I did not hear the interjection because there were interjections across the chamber. I'm sure if I ask Senator Watt to reflect on what he said and not to repeat the offence, he will withdraw in the interests of the chamber.

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

I withdraw.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm very happy to be asked about jobs. I would make the point, first, in relation to this mine—sorry, I was asked about energy first. I'm advised that this was an export-only mine, so obviously there's no energy into our energy grid. Secondly, in addition to the 64,000 jobs which were obviously weighing, I assume, on the minister's mind, I would note also that the government are serious about ensuring that we invest in industry and jobs through our National Reconstruction Fund, an important part of ensuring strong manufacturing jobs, high-vis jobs, here in Australia. Isn't it interesting that those who talk about jobs are about to oppose this. If you want to come in here, Senator, and talk about Australian jobs, we're very happy to talk about Australian jobs and all the jobs you're voting against.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McDonald, a second supplementary?

Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In all of her time as a minister in the Albanese government, how many coal projects across Australia has Ms Plibersek approved?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am only aware of this decision. I will take on notice what other decisions have been made. My recollection is that, obviously, ministers don't discuss what is before a minister until a final decision has been made, but I'm very happy to take it on notice.