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Making it easier for the mines’: Is Queensland bending to big coal?

More than eight years since the Campbell Newman government weakened the rights of citizens to fight new mines, Queensland Labor – which repealed the laws once in power – is now set to commission a review into its subsequent laws.

The accompanying draft terms of reference, seen by the Brisbane Times, has sent a chill through the anti-coal movement.

The document noted action in the Queensland Land Court – which has been used to hinder controversial coal mines owned by Clive Palmer, Adani and New Hope – caused long and expensive delays.

Further, the objection processes in the Mineral Resources Act were unique, it said. Broadly, it asked: Should there be change?

For environmental groups and their allies, the document has more than a whiff of the resources lobby.

“The way I read it, it’s about narrowing [objections] down and making it easier for the mines,” said environmental lawyer and academic Dr Chris McGrath. “And that’s what I take Labor as wanting to do.”

Importantly, he added that environmentalists’ concerns could prove premature, given the document was a draft and the review from the Queensland Law Reform Commission could turn up any number of recommendations.

Many, particularly those in regional areas whose communities were more likely to reap direct benefits from new mines, would welcome change.

Whatever side of the fight, Queenslanders would be right to be curious about the government’s ambitions.