The Queensland Government's State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 represents a significant weakening of environmental protections and public accountability.
By reducing environmental scrutiny, limiting community participation and concentrating decision-making powers, the Bill continues a broader pattern of rolling back environmental safeguards in favour of faster approvals for major resource and infrastructure projects.
"This Bill continues the steady erosion of Queensland's environmental protections at precisely the time they should be strengthened,” said Tony Fontes, President of the Whitsunday Conservation Council. "Environmental laws are not red tape. They are the safeguards that ensure major developments are assessed transparently, independently and on the basis of science."
Queensland is home to some of the world's most significant natural assets, including the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, Ramsar wetlands and habitat for hundreds of threatened species. These places are not obstacles to development, they are the foundation of Queensland's economy, identity and international reputation.
The Bill comes at a time when the 2026 State of the Environment reporting confirms ongoing declines in biodiversity and ecosystem health, highlighting the urgent need for stronger environmental protections. It also follows renewed international scrutiny of the Great Barrier Reef, with UNESCO continuing to emphasise the importance of robust environmental governance to protect the health and future of the Reef.
"The Great Barrier Reef, our World Heritage Areas and threatened species deserve stronger protection, not weaker laws that prioritise speed over good decision-making." said Tony. "Weakening environmental governance also creates economic risk. Reducing accountability undermines public trust and creates greater sovereign risk, not less."
Rather than responding by strengthening environmental safeguards, the Queensland Government is proposing legislation that weakens transparency, reduces independent oversight and limits opportunities for public review.
Queensland has an important role in supplying the critical minerals needed for the global clean energy transition. However, accelerating approvals must not come at the expense of biodiversity, World Heritage values or community confidence in environmental decision-making.
The Whitsunday Conservation Council is very concerned that this Bill would:
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weaken environmental scrutiny of major projects;
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reduce opportunities for public consultation;
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diminish transparency and accountability;
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limit independent review and appeal rights;
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increase the risk of irreversible impacts on threatened species, waterways and nationally significant ecosystems; and
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further erode confidence that environmental decisions are based on the best available science.
“We urge Members of Parliament to reject provisions that weaken environmental protections and democratic accountability.”
“Future generations will judge this legislation not by how quickly projects were approved, but by whether Queensland chose to protect the natural environment that defines our state and supports our economy.”
ENDS
Contact details:
Tony Fontes, President, Whitsunday Conservation Council - 0417 749 143 - [email protected]
