EPBC Bill process puts pressure on energy roadmap

Statement from Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson 

The announcement of a deal between the Federal Government and the Greens to pass the Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025 (and related bills) is an outcome that puts future resources projects at risk in Queensland from continued duplication and excessive regulation.

Senator Murray Watt was elected by Queenslanders who rely on mining and resources for jobs, economic prosperity and energy security that comes from the coal, gas, minerals and metals that are found in our great state.

This deal fails to recognise the commitment and work that Queensland resources companies put in each year to responsibly develop resources within Queensland’s unique environment and progressively rehabilitate post mined land.

Only yesterday, our sector released the significant contributions made to Queensland from 0.1% of the state’s land mass.

This deal sends a message that the contributions coal, natural gas, metals and minerals deliver to Queensland are being undervalued.

The Commonwealth Government must urgently engage the Queensland Government to ensure state environmental approvals processes are accredited as quickly as possible, to prevent more significant delays for new and existing projects in the state.

These projects will bring energy security through gas and coal, support advanced manufacturing for future facing products, and provide the minerals and metals for the energy transition, including steelmaking coal for wind turbines and copper for solar panels and batteries.

The Queensland Resources Council and its members are assessing the extent of the impacts from this deal, including the retention of federal approval for coal and gas projects under the water trigger and other potential barriers to access streamlined assessment pathways for resources projects.

The inclusion of climate disclosure requirements increases the risk of further legal challenge of projects, creating additional delays within the industry in service of an outcome already achieved through the Safeguard Mechanism.

The QRC is seeking clearer definitions for unacceptable impact and net gain tests that are desperately needed to somewhat mitigate the uncertainty and added risk posed by these additions to the EPBC Act Reform.

Jana Dore – [email protected]

Matt Dunstan – [email protected]