'Senators listening to themselves': Scott Morrison rebukes MPs demanding swift Adani approval
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has slapped down internal Coalition critics who are demanding swift approval for the Adani coalmine, insisting the government will follow “expert scientific advice” on an imminent environmental decision.
Mr Morrison rebuked “senators listening to themselves” on the coal project after Queensland Liberal senator James McGrath put pressure on Environment Minister Melissa Price to issue the approval.
“When it comes to making these decisions, they’ll be made by ministers listening to scientists not senators listening to themselves,” Mr Morrison told reporters while campaigning in the seat of Dobell on the NSW central coast.
The dispute is another sign of the splintering within the Liberals and Nationals over the vast coal mine and related infrastructure, with Queensland MPs supporting it while those in southern states fear a backlash from voters if they do the same.
Senator McGrath reportedly warned Ms Price that he would make a public call for her resignation if she did not treat the Adani project fairly, sending her a “terse and blunt” letter according to reports this week.
“I am a senator for Queensland, I am not a Canberra senator. Yes, I want it to go ahead because it’s about jobs,” Senator McGrath told Sky News on Monday.
Ms Price has responsibility as Environment Minister to issue a decision on the water management plan for the mine, but the project is also subject to Queensland state decisions yet to be taken.
“The government will make all decisions based on the expert scientific advice of organisations, not just including the Department of the Environment but GeoScience Australia and the CSIRO,” Mr Morrison said.
“There have been many decisions made in relation to this and other projects. But in relation to this project, we’ve always been following the advice of the scientists and we will continue to do that.”