Queensland has introduced controversial legislation that will fundamentally restrict public participation in mining decisions. Under the new laws, objections to mining projects will only be considered by the Land Court if the objector owns property within a 125km radius of the proposed development, and only with the explicit approval of the Resources Minister. The legislation, tabled by Minister Dale Last, replaces the current system where all objections are automatically referred for independent judicial review. The government argues this reform is necessary to streamline approvals and eliminate delays that have plagued major projects like the New Acland coal mine expansion.
The Greens party and Lock the Gate Alliance have labelled the legislation corrupt, claiming it systematically excludes community opposition to mining. Under the amended process, decision-makers including the Resources Minister for mining leases and the Director-General of the environment department for environmental approvals will have complete discretion over which objections proceed to court. Queensland, which produces the majority of Australia's coal and hosts the nation's second-largest mining industry, is also its most carbon-intensive state due to its dependence on coal-fired power generation.
Anthony Gough, Acting Director of the Queensland Conservation Council, warns that the minister of the day could effectively cherry-pick which community objections receive judicial scrutiny. He argues the legislation strips Queenslanders of their right to challenge environmentally damaging projects in open court, noting that the existing process successfully led to the cessation of sand mining on World Heritage-listed K'Gari. Opponents maintain that Queenslanders should retain the ability to protect the state's environmental and agricultural assets regardless of their proximity to specific mining operations, warning that the reforms prioritize corporate interests over democratic participation and ecological preservation.