Queensland parliament to debate proposed mining law changes

Queensland communities may face increased difficulty in challenging new mining projects under proposed law changes that aim to restrict who can object to a mine and grant politicians greater control over whether objections are heard in court.

Resources Minister Dale Last has introduced the Mineral Resources Objections Reform and Other Legislation Amendment Bill, arguing that the changes will reduce bureaucratic red tape and prevent "vexatious" objections from delaying projects.

Dale Last says the bill will put a stop to "vexatious claims".

However, farmers, environmental groups, and lawyers have expressed concerns that the reforms will make it harder for communities to have their say and weaken independent scrutiny of mines.

Under the proposed laws, objections will generally be restricted to landholders directly affected by a project and others living within 125 kilometres of a proposed mine.

Automatic referrals of objections to the Land Court will also be abolished, with decisions about whether an objection goes to court instead made through "a ministerial referral process".

Concerns about undermining the approvals system

Barrister and University of Queensland adjunct professor Chris McGrath stated that the changes will undermine the approvals system, saying:

"This is another step of this current government in really hacking at the safety net of laws that protect Queenslanders from bad development,"

Dr McGrath added:

"We all benefit from an open process with independent review, and they're really blowing holes in that process."

Dr McGrath also noted that the proposed 125km limit fails to recognise that the effects of a mine can travel far beyond its immediate footprint.

Industry perspective

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Janette Hewson argued that the 125km limit is an "arbitrary number", stating:

"We think that it should be more of a sliding scale that's actually based on science and data."

Ms Hewson also mentioned that people are fighting approvals on ideologies "really not relevant" to the issue.

Impact on community groups

Dr McGrath expressed concerns that the reforms could restrict the ability of incorporated community groups to bring objections to the Land Court, citing their important role in protecting landholders during the long-running New Acland mine expansion battle.

OCAA president and Brymaroo dairy farmer David Vonhoff described the proposed changes as "very disturbing", saying:

"The mining people … dictate terms to the government and the government's just listening to them and not listening to the people that are producing the food on the land,"

Government response

Mr Last stated that the bill will streamline the objections process without reducing environmental protections, saying:

"[It's] to deliver a more efficient and targeted framework for objections to mining lease applications while putting a stop to those who lob vexatious claims and intentionally use this process to frustrate or delay project approvals,"

Ms Hewson added that the changes aim to cut duplicated red tape, saying:

"It's not about taking people's rights away,"

The bill will now be debated by the Queensland parliament.