Proposed reforms to critical minerals legislation designed to accelerate major projects could come at the expense of environmental safeguards and landholder rights, Queensland Law Society representatives have told a public hearing.
The hearing was held in Mackay today with QLS First Nations Legal Policy Committee co-chair and Regional, Rural and Remote Committee member Kristen Hodge, Planning and Environmental Law Committee member Gerard Timbs and President Peter Jolly appearing on behalf of the Society.
Mr Jolly said the Society supported regulation that facilitated investment and major projects but had concerns the proposed laws would significantly expand executive powers while reducing important safeguards.
“In particular, we have some concerns about the extent of the State’s significance notice and modification order powers, the reduction of review and appeal rights, and the compulsory acquisition provisions that may allow land to be acquired for the benefit of private proponents,” he said.
“We do encourage the Committee to carefully consider whether these measures strike the appropriate balance between project facilitation, accountability and the rights of affected landholders and communities.”
The Mackay hearing of the Parliamentary Primary Industries and Resources Committee’s inquiry into the State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 is the only public proceeding scheduled as part of the committee’s examination of the legislation.
In her opening address, Ms Hodge told the committee there were concerns that removing the previous Environmental Impact Statement linkage from aspects of the compulsory acquisition framework may weaken processes that often identify and manage cultural heritage impacts.
“The Bill does not clearly explain how those impacts will be addressed if those processes are reduced or altered,” she said.
“We also have concerns about the extent of the proposed modification order power.
“While the Explanatory Notes state that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights cannot be excluded, greater legislative clarity is needed to ensure cultural heritage protections and engagement processes cannot be unintentionally weakened through project facilitation measures.”
The committee is scheduled to report back to Parliament on 7 August.
Read the QLS submission here.
Share this article