Queensland's political leaders have launched a fierce attack on proposed new federal environmental laws, warning they will sacrifice the state's vital gas projects and put thousands of jobs and billions in investment at risk.
Queensland's Stance Against 'Rushed' Federal Reforms
Premier Steven Miles and Resources Minister Scott Stewart have united in a rare joint statement, expressing profound concern over the Albanese government's Nature Positive Plan and the Water Trigger amendments. They argue the legislation, which aims to strengthen environmental protections, has been rushed and fails to consider the severe economic consequences for Australia's north.
The ministers highlighted that the new laws could directly threaten the future of major projects in the Bowen and Galilee Basins. These regions are central to both the state's economy and the federal government's own recently announced Future Gas Strategy, which acknowledges gas as a critical transition fuel.
"We cannot support reforms that would sacrifice key gas projects in the north," the statement declared, emphasising the contradictory stance of a federal policy that simultaneously promotes gas while introducing regulations that could stifle its production.
Billions in Investment and Thousands of Jobs on the Line
The economic stakes are monumental. The Queensland government estimates that the proposed laws endanger a pipeline of resource projects worth over $1 trillion. This isn't just about corporate profits; the ripple effects would be felt across communities.
Thousands of regional jobs hang in the balance, from direct mining roles to supporting industries in towns that rely on the resources sector. Furthermore, the projects contribute massively to state royalties, which fund essential public services like schools, hospitals, and roads for all Queenslanders.
Minister Stewart was blunt about the potential fallout, stating the reforms "threaten to shut down the very industry the Commonwealth says we need" to ensure energy security during the nation's transition to renewables.
A Call for Proper Consultation and Balance
The core of Queensland's complaint lies in the process. The state government alleges it has not been adequately consulted on the fine print of the reforms, which are complex and far-reaching. Their demand is clear: the federal government must go back to the drawing board.
They are calling for a proper, collaborative consultation process that involves the states and territories, and crucially, achieves a balance between environmental stewardship and economic reality. The leaders argue that strong environmental outcomes and a thriving resources sector are not mutually exclusive, but the current proposed laws fail to achieve this synergy.
The statement serves as a significant political challenge to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, pitting a key Labor state government against federal Labor policy. It underscores the delicate and often contentious balance between Australia's climate commitments and its economic dependencies, a debate now centred squarely on the future of Queensland's gas-rich north.
