Carbon sequestration projects must have right place, right approvals

The Queensland State Labor Government has scrapped Glencore’s proposed carbon capture
and storage project in the Surat Basin.
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the decision comes after the Federal Labor-
Greens Government quashed an attempt by The Nationals to ensure important safeguards
were in place to protect Australia’s water aquifers.
Mr Littleproud previously moved an amendment to the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act so that the Commonwealth, as well as the Queensland
Government, undertakes appropriate assessments of carbon sequestration projects.
“The Nationals fought for a common-sense solution to ensure our farmers and communities
have confidence in the approval process of carbon sequestration projects by asking for
these projects to be assessed under the Federal Act as well,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The Nationals fully support carbon sequestration projects as a method to support the coal
and gas industries abate their emissions but only in the appropriate place and once there is
confidence in the science.
“The Great Artesian Basin is an important water source for farmers and communities in
Queensland. It’s imperative we protect it and that proper, thorough assessments are
undertaken for any sequestration project.
“While we support carbon capture storage, it has to be in the appropriate place. The
technology is emerging and we support that, but it has to be done at an appropriate pace
where we have confidence in the approval process.
“At the moment, the Queensland Government determines the process, despite projects
involving national environmental assets that should also trigger, under the EPBC Act, the
water trigger. We have a responsibility to protect the environment.”