New laws on mining objections 'hacking at safety net'
Proposed laws in Queensland would restrict who can object to a mine and give politicians greater control over whether objections are heard in court.
Queensland's Resources Minister Dale Last introduced a bill on Tuesday aimed at restricting who can object to mining projects and giving politicians more authority over objection hearings. Opponents argue the reforms will weaken the approvals system, while the mining industry claims the changes will reduce bureaucratic hurdles. The Mineral Resources Objections Reform and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 will now be debated in Queensland parliament.
Under the proposed laws, objections would primarily be limited to landowners directly impacted by the project and those living within a 125km radius. Automatic referrals of objections to the Land Court would cease, with decisions made via a ministerial referral process instead. Critics, including farmers, environmentalists, and lawyers, contend the reforms will make it harder for communities to challenge mining projects and erode independent scrutiny.
University of Queensland law professor Chris McGrath warns the changes will undermine the safety net of laws protecting Queenslanders from harmful development. However, the mining industry group Queensland Resources Council contends the 125km limit is arbitrary and should be based on scientific data, with the potential to restrict community groups' ability to contest projects.
Local farmer David Vonhoff, whose property is 6km from the mine, finds the changes "very disturbing," questioning why distant residents should be excluded from the process if they have legitimate concerns. The bill aims to streamline the objections process while maintaining environmental protections, reducing red tape for mining projects and eliminating vexatious claims.
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