The Federal Minister for the Environment, Tony Burke, and the Queensland Deputy Premier, Jeff Seeney, have met for the first time tor resolve their differences over the disputed environmental approval process of the multi-billion dollar Alpha Coal mine.

 

The ministers agreed that a Commonwealth process has commenced to deal with the outstanding matters relating to the project.

 

“There was a common view that the best outcome for the future is to have a streamlined process which is able to fully meet the requirements of Queensland and Commonwealth legislation,” Mr Burke said in a statement.

 

“There will be discussion in the coming days between jurisdictions to determine how the current bilateral would need to be amended to create greater certainty for the environment and business.”

 

“A fully streamlined process occurs when reports from Queensland deal with all matters of national environmental significance that are required for a Commonwealth decision to be made.”