Chapter 1 - Introduction

[1]        Journals of the Senate, No. 66, 18 October 2017, p. 2111.

[2]        Journals of the Senate, No. 85, 13 February 2018, p. 2690.

[3]        Journals of the Senate, No. 102, 25 June 2018, p. 3271.

[4]        Journals of the Senate, No. 110, 20 August 2018, p. 3534.

[5]        Journals of the Senate, No. 118, 17 September 2018, p. 3766.

[6]        Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 10; Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 1.

[7]        Bureau of Meteorology, Australian water information dictionary: Aquifer, http://www.bom.gov.au/water/awid/initial-a.shtml (accessed 23 May 2018).

[8]        Bureau of Meteorology, Australian water information dictionary: Artesian basin, http://www.bom.gov.au/water/awid/initial-a.shtml (accessed 23 May 2018).

[9]        Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Discover groundwater, https://www.mdba.gov.au/discover-basin/water/discover-groundwater (accessed 23 May 2018).

[10]      Bureau of Meteorology, Groundwater dependent ecosystems atlas, http://www.bom.gov.au/water/groundwater/gde/ (accessed 23 May 2018).

[11]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 3.

[12]      CSIRO, What is unconventional gas?, https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/Energy/Hydraulic-fracturing/What-is-unconventional-gas (accessed 7 June 2018).

[13]      Select Committee on Unconventional Gas Mining, Interim report, May 2016, pp. 64–68.

[14]      Senate Select Committee on Red Tape, Effect of red tape on environmental assessment and approvals: Interim report, October 2017, p. 9.

[15]      Senate Select Committee on Red Tape, Effect of red tape on environmental assessment and approvals: Interim report, October 2017, p. 12, Recommendation 2.

[16]      Senate Select Committee on Red Tape, Effect of red tape on environmental assessment and approvals: Interim report, October 2017, Dissenting Report by Labor Senators, p. 35.

[17]      Productivity Commission, National Water Reform, Report no. 87, December 2017, Canberra, p. 3.

[18]      Productivity Commission, National Water Reform, Report no. 87, December 2017, Canberra, p. 28, Recommendation 3.1 and p. 43, Recommendation 10.1.

[19]      Commonwealth of Australia, Independent Review of the Water Trigger Legislation, April 2017, p. 6.

[20]      Commonwealth of Australia, Independent Review of the Water Trigger Legislation, April 2017, p. 7.

[21]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 10, Chapter 7.

[22]      Northern Territory Government, Government Responses to Recommendations from the Final Report on Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, pp. 5, 7, https://hydraulicfracturing.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/497426/Government-responses-to-Recommendations.pdf (accessed 24 May 2018).

[23]      Independent Scientific Panel Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation in Western Australia 2017, Progress of the Scientific Inquiry, https://frackinginquiry.wa.gov.au/progress-scientific-inquiry (accessed 24 May 2018).

[24]      NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, Independent review of coal seam gas activities in NSW: Managing environmental and human health risks from CSG activities, September 2014, p. 1.

[25]      NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, Independent review of coal seam gas activities in NSW: Managing environmental and human health risks from CSG activities, September 2014, p. vi.

Chapter 2 - Background

[1]        Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd, Submission 22, p. 2.

[2]        Lin Crase, 'An Introduction to Australian Water Policy', in Lin Crase (ed.), Water Policy in Australia: The Impact of Change and Uncertainty, RFF Press, Washington, DC, 2008, p. 2; Conservation Council of South Australia, Submission 10, p. 3.

[3]        Conservation Council of Western Australia, Submission 27, pp. 15, 27.

[4]        Great Artesian Basin Coordinating Committee, Fact sheet 5: Pressure and heat in the Great Artesian Basin, July 2016, p. 1, http://www.gabcc.gov.au/sitecollectionimages/resources/78283c5b-16ab-44be-bcb7-972bd9e1196d/files/pressure-and-heat-gab-factsheet.pdf (accessed 22 May 2018).

[5]        Rachel Dixon, Water in Australia, Redback Publishing, Frenchs Forest, 2018, p. 20.

[6]        Ms Georgina Woods, Policy Coordinator, Lock the Gate Alliance, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 31.

[7]        Buru Energy Limited, Submission 14, p. 1; Michael Pelusey and Jane Pelusey, Natural Water, Macmillan Library, South Yarra, Vic., 2006, p. 16.

[8]        Bureau of Meteorology, Australian aquifer boundary grouping and alignment with National Aquifer Framework, p. 2, http://www.bom.gov.au/water/groundwater/insight/documents/AquiferBoundariesMethod.pdf (accessed 23 May 2018).

[9]        Conservation Council of South Australia, Submission 10, p. 1.

[10]      Murray-Darling Basin Commission, Murray-Darling Basin groundwater: A resource for the future, p. 12, https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/archived/mdbc-GW-reports/2173_GW_a_resource_for_the_future.pdf (accessed 23 May 2018).

[11]      Rachel Dixon, Water in Australia, Redback Publishing, Frenchs Forest, 2018, p. 20; Australian Farmers for Climate Action, Submission 6, p. 5; Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 32.

[12]      Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Submission 7, p. 2; Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 5.

[13]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Great Artesian Basin, http://www.agriculture.gov.au/water/national/great-artesian-basin/ (accessed 6 August 2018).

[14]      Great Artesian Basin Coordinating Committee, Fact sheet 5: Pressure and heat in the Great Artesian Basin, July 2016, p. 1, http://www.gabcc.gov.au/sitecollectionimages/resources/78283c5b-16ab-44be-bcb7-972bd9e1196d/files/pressure-and-heat-gab-factsheet.pdf (accessed 22 May 2018).

[15]      Great Artesian Basin Coordinating Committee, Fact sheet 5: Pressure and heat in the Great Artesian Basin, July 2016, p. 1, http://www.gabcc.gov.au/sitecollectionimages/resources/78283c5b-16ab-44be-bcb7-972bd9e1196d/files/pressure-and-heat-gab-factsheet.pdf (accessed 22 May 2018); Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative, http://www.agriculture.gov.au/water/national/great-artesian-basin/great-artesian-basin-sustainability-initiative (accessed 23 May 2018); Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 6.

[16]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Discover the Basin, https://www.mdba.gov.au/discover-basin (accessed 23 May 2018); J.E. Lau, D.P. Commander and G. Jacobson, Hydrogeology of Australia, Bulletin 227, Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 1987, p. 3; Property Rights Australia Incorporated, Submission 21, p. 10.

[17]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Geology, https://www.mdba.gov.au/discover-basin/landscape/geology (accessed 23 May 2018).

[18]      Murray-Darling Basin A, Murray-Darling Basin groundwater: A resource for the future, p. 4, https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/archived/mdbc-GW-reports/2173_GW_a_resource_for_the_future.pdf (accessed 23 May 2018); Discover Murray, The Murray-Darling Basin, http://www.murrayriver.com.au/about-the-murray/murray-darling-basin/ (accessed 23 May 2018).

[19]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Discover groundwater, https://www.mdba.gov.au/discover-basin/water/discover-groundwater (accessed 23 May 2018).

[20]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, What's in the Basin Plan?, https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan/whats-basin-plan (accessed 23 May 2018).

[21]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Murray-Darling Basin boundary, https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/cartographicmapping/MDB-boundary-map-2017.pdf (accessed 23 May 2018).

[22]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Discover groundwater, https://www.mdba.gov.au/discover-basin/water/discover-groundwater (accessed 23 May 2018); Mr Tom Crothers, Consultant, Property Rights Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 36.

[23]      Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Groundwater Insight: Groundwater management – extraction (2016–17), http://www.bom.gov.au/water/groundwater/ (accessed 13 June 2018).

[24]      Conservation Council of Western Australia, Submission 27, p. 2.

[25]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 108; Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p. 8. Miss Helen Bender also noted that 'Groundwater is the only secure water available for feedlot development' for the areas in Queensland dependent upon the Great Artesian Basin (Submission 29, p. 11). See also Mr Lee McNicholl, Chairman, Basin Sustainability Alliance, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 2.

[26]      Australian Bureau of Statistics, 4610.0 – Water Account, Australia, 2015–16, 23 November 2017, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4610.0Main%20Features22015-16?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4610.0&issue=2015-16&num=&view= (accessed 23 May 2018).

[27]      Australian Bureau of Statistics, 4610.0 – Water Account, Australia, 2015–16, 23 November 2017, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4610.0Main%20Features22015-16?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4610.0&issue=2015-16&num=&view= (accessed 23 May 2018).

[28]      Australian Bureau of Statistics, 4610.0 – Water Account, Australia, 2015–16, 23 November 2017, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4610.0Main%20Features22015-16?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4610.0&issue=2015-16&num=&view= (accessed 22 May 2018).

[29]      Australian Bureau of Statistics, 4610.0 – Water Account, Australia, 2015–16, 23 November 2017, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/4610.0Main%20Features22015-16?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=4610.0&issue=2015-16&num=&view= (accessed 22 May 2018).

[30]      Dr Malcolm Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 15.

[31]      Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, p. 1.

[32]      International Association of Hydrogeologists, Submission 9, p. 3.

[33]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd, Submission 22, p. 10.

[34]      Ms Georgina Woods, Policy Coordinator, Lock the Gate Alliance, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 30.

[35]      Ms Joanne Rea, Chair, Property Rights Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 31.

[36]      Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Submission 7, p. 1.

[37]      Ms Revel Pointon, Lawyer, Environmental Defenders Office Queensland, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 28.

[38]      Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 7; Miss Helen Bishop, Submission 29, p. 1.

[39]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 25.

[40]      Miss Helen Bender, Submission 29, p. 3.

[41]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 102.

[42]      Statement from the Aboriginal Fracking Forum, 19 November 2017, Ban Fracking, Protect Country, provided by Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network, Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 268.

[43]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 113; Geoscience Australia, Groundwater dependent ecoystems, http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/water/groundwater/understanding-groundwater-resources/groundwater-dependant-ecosystems (accessed 24 May 2018).

[44]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 3; Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p. 6.

[45]      Conservation Council of Western Australia, Submission 27, p. 21 (see Response from Vimy Resources, p. 6 for a counterargument to this claim); The Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd, Submission 16, p. 6.

[46]      Associate Professor Grant Hose, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 36.

[47]      Associate Professor Grant Hose, Submission 5, pp. 2–3.

[48]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 115.

[49]      Australian Bureau of Statistics, Water Account, Australia, 2015–16, 23 November 2017, http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/4610.02015-16?OpenDocument (accessed 23 May 2018).

[50]      New South Wales Minerals Council, Submission 15, p. 5.

[51]      Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Guideline: Application  of Operational Policy requirements to obtain enhanced environmental authority conditions for Fitzroy Basin Mines, February 2014, p. 4, https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/assets/documents/regulation/rs-gl-apply-fitzroy-ea-conditions.pdf (accessed 7 June 2018).

[52]      Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, p. 27.

[53]      Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, p. 27.

[54]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 4.

[55]      Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p. 2.

[56]      Conservation Council of Western Australia, Submission 27, p. 4.

[57]      Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, pp. 11–12.

[58]      Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, p. 10.

[59]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 11.

[60]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 13.

[61]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 13.

[62]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 13.

[63]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 30.

[64]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, pp. 30 and 31.

[65]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 34.

[66]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 13; BBC News, 'What is fracking and why is it controversial?', BBC News, 16 December  2015, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-14432401 (accessed 7 June 2018).

[67]      Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, 'Coal and coal seam gas – Regulation', http://www.environment.gov.au/water/coal-and-coal-seam-gas/regulation (accessed 25 May 2018); Government of South Australia, 'Petroleum: Frequently asked questions', http://petroleum.statedevelopment.sa.gov.au/frequently_asked_questions (accessed 25 May 2018).

[68]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, pp. 23–24; The Hon Michael Gunner, Chief Minister of the Norther Territory, Media Release, 'Fracking moratorium lifted – Strict laws to be in place before exploration or production can occur', 17 April 2018. 

[69]      Nick Harmsen, ABC News Online, 'Fracking ban in SA's south-east may not need legislation, Steven Marshall says', 12 April 2018, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-12/decade-long-fracking-ban-may-not-need-law-change/9642876.

Regulatory framework for use of underground water

[1]        Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 2.

[2]        Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, section 100; Ms Joanne Rea, Chair, Property Rights Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 30.

[3]        Productivity Commission, National Water Reform, Report no. 87, December 2017, Canberra,  p. v.

[4]        Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. ii.

[5]        Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 1.

[6]        Department of the Environment and Energy, Submission 1, p. 1.

[7]        Department of the Environment and Energy, Submission 1, p. 1.

[8]        Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 12.

[9]        Department of the Environment and Energy, Submission 1, pp. 1–2.

[10]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 12.

[11]      Department of the Environment and Energy, One-Stop Shop for environmental approvals, http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/one-stop-shop (accessed 31 May 2018).

[12]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 12.

[13]      Department of the Environment and Energy, Submission 1, pp. 1–2.

[14]      Department of the Environment, Significant impact guidelines 1.3: Coal seam gas and large coal mining developments – impacts on water resources, December 2013, p. 14, http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/d078caf3-3923-4416-a743-0988ac3f1ee1/files/sig-water-resources.pdf (accessed 31 May 2018).

[15]      Department of the Environment, Significant impact guidelines 1.3: Coal seam gas and large coal mining developments – impacts on water resources, December 2013, pp. 16–20, http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/d078caf3-3923-4416-a743-0988ac3f1ee1/files/sig-water-resources.pdf (accessed 31 May 2018).

[16]      Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, pp. 1, 14.

[17]      Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, p. 16.

[18]      Dr Stuart Minchin, Chief, Environmental Geoscience Division, Geoscience Australia, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 40.

[19]      Department of the Environment and Energy, Submission 1, p. 3.

[20]      Department of the Environment and Energy, Implementation of the Water Trigger under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Act 2013: Post Implementation Review, December 2016, p. 21; Department of the Environment and Energy, Submission 1, p. 3.

[21]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 9.

[22]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 16; Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 4; Commonwealth of Australia, Independent Review of the Water Trigger Legislation, April 2017, p. 6.

[23]      Department of the Environment and Energy, Submission 1, p. 1; Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 7; Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 4.

[24]      Department of the Environment and Energy, Submission 1, p. 2.

[25]      Associate Professor Grant Hose, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 36; Mr Tom Crothers, Consultant, Property Rights Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 34; Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Submission 7, p. 5; Dr Megan Kessler, Scientific Director, Environmental Defenders Office New South Wales, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 28.

[26]      Ms Joanne Rea, Chair, Property Rights Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 31.

[27]      University of Queensland, Centre for Coal Seam Gas, Submission 18, p. 2.

[28]      Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, p. 25.

[29]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 12.

[30]      Department of the Environment and Energy, Submission 1, p. 2; Bioregional Assessments Program, About the program, 1 May 2018, http://www.bioregionalassessments.gov.au/about (accessed 30 May 2018).

[31]      Bioregional Assessments Program, About the program, 1 May 2018, http://www.bioregionalassessments.gov.au/about (accessed 30 May 2018).

[32]      Dr Stuart Minchin, Chief, Environmental Geoscience Division, Geoscience Australia, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 43.

[33]      Dr Stuart Minchin, Chief, Environmental Geoscience Division, Geoscience Australia, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 44.

[34]      Department of the Environment and Energy, Submission 1, p. 2.

[35]      Mr Bruce Edwards, Assistant Secretary, Policy and Reform Branch, Environment Standards Division, Department of the Environment and Energy, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 50. Mr James Tregurtha, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Environment Standards Division, Department of the Environment and Energy, stated that 'there is another phase for the unconventional gas' assessments (p. 50).

[36]      Mr James Tregurtha, Acting First Assistant Secretary, Environment Standards Division, Department of the Environment and Energy, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 50.

[37]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 7; Bureau of Meteorology, Information sheet 3: Australian Water Resources Information System (AWRIS), http://www.bom.gov.au/water/about/publications/document/InfoSheet_3.pdf (accessed 4 June 2018); Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Account, http://www.bom.gov.au/water/nwa/about.shtml (accessed 4 June 2018).

[38]      Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Water Resources Information System (AWRIS), http://www.bom.gov.au/water/about/wip/awris.shtml (accessed 4 June 2018).

[39]      Mr Christopher Biesaga, Director, Great Artesian Basin Section and Lake Eyre Basin Section, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 49.

[40]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, pp. 7–8.

[41]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 8.

[42]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 2.

[43]      Productivity Commission, National Water Reform, Report no. 87, December 2017, Canberra, p. 7.

[44]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 3.

[45]      Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Governments of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, 25 June 2004, para 34, pp. 6–7, http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/water/Intergovernmental-Agreement-on-a-national-water-initiative.pdf (accessed 31 May 2018); Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 3.

[46]      Productivity Commission, National Water Reform, Report no. 87, December 2017, Canberra, p. 17.

[47]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 2.

[48]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 8.

[49]      Productivity Commission, National Water Reform, Report no. 87, December 2017, Canberra, pp. 25, 43.

[50]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 7; Mr Paul Morris, First Assistant Secretary, Water Division, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 48.

[51]      Department of the Environment and Energy, Submission 1, p. 1.

[52]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 1.

[53]      Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 4.

[54]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 11.

[55]      Productivity Commission, National Water Reform, Report no. 87, December 2017, Canberra, pp. 8, 11.

[56]      Productivity Commission, National Water Reform, Report no. 87, December 2017, Canberra, pp. 17, 82–83.

[57]      Dr Stuart Minchin, Chief, Environmental Geoscience Division, Geoscience Australia, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 40.

[58]      Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 15.

[59]      Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 17; Basin Sustainability Alliance, Submission 20, p. 2; Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, pp. 4–5, 6; Miss Helen Bender, Submission 29, p. 2; Mr Maxwell Winders, Director, Wambo Cattle Company Pty Ltd, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 3; Ms Joanne Rea, Chair, Property Rights Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 31; Mr Tom Crothers, Consultant, Property Rights Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 36; Ms Revel Pointon, Lawyer, Environmental Defenders Office Queensland, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 25.

[60]      Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 17; Professor Jonathan Fulcher, Private Capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 16. Mr Tom Crothers, Consultant, Property Rights Australia, stated that associated water began to be measured from late 2016 (Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 37).

[61]      Dr Malcolm Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 17.

[62]      Ms Verity Morgan-Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer, Farmers for Climate Action, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, p. 3.

[63]      Mr Angus Emmott, Private capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, p. 4.

[64]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 3.

[65]      Bioregional Assessments Program, Coal resource development and water resources in the Hunter subregion, https://www.bioregionalassessments.gov.au/factsheets/coal-resource-development-and-water-resources-hunter-subregion (accessed 26 July 2018).

[66]      International Association of Hydrogeologists, Submission 9, pp. 2, 5. See also Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, pp. 2, 21; Dr Malcolm Roberts, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 15.

[67]      International Association of Hydrogeologists, Submission 9, pp. 3, 4; Dr Lange Jorstad, President, Australian Chapter, International Association of Hydrogeologists, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 4. See also Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 3; Dr Gavin Lind, Director, Workforce and Health, Safety, Environment and Communities, Minerals Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 25.

[68]      Dr Lange Jorstad, President, Australian Chapter, International Association of Hydrogeologists, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 6.

[69]      Ms Revel Pointon, Lawyer, Environmental Defenders Office Queensland, Committee Hansard, 42 May 2018, p. 24; Mr Mark McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, New South Wales Irrigators Council, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 9.

[70]      Conservation Council of Western Australia, Submission 27, p. 1.

[71]      Property Rights Australia Incorporated, Submission 21, p. 2.

[72]      Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 2; The Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd, Submission 16, p. 1.

[73]      Conservation Council of Western Australia, Submission 27, p. 4.

[74]      Buru Energy Limited, Submission 14, p. 5; Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 3. The Northern Territory Government (Submission 3, p. 4) argued that it 'would need to be convinced of the efficacy' of expanding the water trigger.

[75]      Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, pp. 2, 30–31; New South Wales Minerals Council, Submission 15, p. 7; Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 3.

[76]      International Association of Hydrogeologists, Submission 9, p. 5

[77]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 16; University of Queensland Centre for Coal Seam Gas, Submission 18, p. 3. See also Professor Andrew Garnett, Director, Centre for Coal Seam Gas, University of Queensland, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 20.

[78]      Ms Revel Pointon, Lawyer, Environmental Defenders Office Queensland, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 24; Ms Georgina Woods, Policy Coordinator, Lock the Gate Alliance, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 30; Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Submission 7, p. 5; Conservation Council of South Australia, Submission 10, p. 5; Ms Gillian Pechey, Submission 12, p. 1; Basin Sustainability Alliance, Submission 20, pp. 4, 24; Property Rights Australia Incorporated, Submission 21, p. 15; Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p 2; Miss Helen Bender, Submission 29, p. 13. 

[79]      Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 4.

[80]      Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 20; Ms Revel Pointon, Lawyer, Environmental Defenders Office Queensland, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 24. See also Associate Professor Grant Hose, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 39.

[81]      National Farmers' Federation, Submission 17, p. 10.

[82]      Mr Bruce Edwards, Assistant Secretary, Policy and Reform Branch, Environment Standards Division, Department of the Environment and Energy, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 52.

[83]      Department of the Environment and Energy, Implementation of the Water Trigger under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Act 2013: Post Implementation Review, December 2016, p. 21; Department of the Environment and Energy, Submission 1, p. 3.

[84]      See, for example, Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Submission 7, p. 3; Conservation Council of South Australia, Submission 10, p. 5; NSW Irrigators' Council, Submission 11, p. 9; Mr Tony Windsor MP and Mr John Clements, Submission 23, p. 7; Miss Helen Bender, Submission 29, p. 13.

[85]      Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, p. 2.

[86]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 13.

[87]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 13.

[88]      Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 6; Australian Farmers for Climate Action, Submission 6, p. 6.

[89]      Ms Revel Pointon, Lawyer, Environmental Defenders Office Queensland, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 28.

[90]      Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p. 2.

[91]      Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 19.

[92]      Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p. 2; Ms Georgina Woods, Policy Coordinator, Lock the Gate Alliance, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 31.

[93]      Mr Tony Windsor MP and Mr John Clements, Submission 23, p. 8.

[94]      Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Submission 7, p. 5.

[95]      NSW Irrigators' Council, Submission 11, p. 5.

[96]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd, (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 28.

[97]      Commonwealth of Australia, Independent Review of the Water Trigger Legislation, April 2017, p. 10.

[98]      Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 5; Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 9; Conservation Council of Western Australia, Submission 27, p. 9; Miss Helen Bender, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 5. See also Caroona Coal Action Group Inc, Submission 26, p. 2.

[99]      Dr Lange Jorstad, President, Australian Chapter, International Association of Hydrogeologists, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 3.

[100]    Queensland Government, Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment, https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/mining-energy-water/resources/environment-water/ogia (accessed 23 July 2018); Mr Maxwell Winders, Submission 25, pp. 6–8;
Mr Maxwell Winders, Director, Wambo Cattle Company Pty Ltd, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 1.

[101]    Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 20.

[102]    Dr Lange Jorstad, President, Australian Chapter, International Association of Hydrogeologists, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 3; Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 7; Ms Revel Pointon, Lawyer, Environmental Defenders Office Queensland, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 28.

[103]    Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 6; Ms Robyn Glindemann, Deputy Chair, Australian Environment and Planning Law Group, Legal Practice Section, Law Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 39.

[104]    Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 5. See also Mr Mark McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, New South Wales Irrigators Council, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 14.

[105]    Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 6.

[106]    Dr Stuart Minchin, Chief, Environmental Geoscience Division, Geoscience Australia, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 41.

[107]    Dr Stuart Minchin, Chief, Environmental Geoscience Division, Geoscience Australia, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 41.

[108]    Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 13.

[109]    Australian Farmers for Climate Action, Submission 6, p. 6; Conservation Council of South Australia, Submission 10, p. 3; National Farmers' Federation, Submission 17, pp. 3–6; Ms Robyn Glindemann, Deputy Chair, Australian Environment and Planning Law Group, Legal Practice Section, Law Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 38; Associate Professor Grant Hose, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, pp. 36–37.

[110]    Dr Lange Jorstad, President, Australian Chapter, International Association of Hydrogeologists, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, pp. 2–3.

[111]    Ms Robyn Glindemann, Deputy Chair, Australian Environment and Planning Law Group, Legal Practice Section, Law Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 38.

[112]    Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 26.

[113]    Associate Professor Grant Hose, Submission 5, pp. 1, 2–3.

[114]    Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 15; NSW Irrigators' Council, Submission 11, p. 3; Property Rights Australia Incorporated, Submission 21, p. 15; Mr Tom Crothers, Consultant, Property Rights Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, pp. 35, 37; Dr Lange Jorstad, President, Australian Chapter, International Association of Hydrogeologists, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 5; Mr Angus Emmott, Private capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, p. 3.

[115]    Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 7.

[116]    Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 13.

[117]    Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 13.

[118]    See, for example, Ms Verity Morgan-Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer, Farmers for Climate Action, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, p. 3.

[119]    Mr Peter Wills, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, p. 18.

[120]    Mr Bruce Currie, Private capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, p. 7.

[121]    Ms Georgina Woods, NSW Coordinator, Lock the Gate Alliance, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, pp. 13–14.

[122]    Correspondence from the New South Wales Minerals Council – response to certain evidence given during a public hearing on 10 September 2018, p. 1.

[123]    Correspondence from the New South Wales Minerals Council – response to certain evidence given during a public hearing on 10 September 2018, p. 2.

[124]    Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 15; National Farmers' Federation, Submission 17, pp. 10–11; Ms Robyn Glindemann, Deputy Chair, Australian Environment and Planning Law Group, Legal Practice Section, Law Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 39.

[125]    NSW Irrigators' Council, Submission 11, p. 7. See also National Farmers' Federation, Submission 17, p. 11.

[126]    Dr Stuart Minchin, Chief, Environmental Geoscience Division, Geoscience Australia, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 43.

[127]    Productivity Commission, National Water Reform, Report no. 87, December 2017, Canberra, p. 33.

[128]    Ms Sarah Asokendaran, Submission 19, pp. 4–5. See also Ms Sarah Asokendaran, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 15.

[129]    See Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p 1; Australian Farmers for Climate Action, Submission 6, p. 3; Ms Robyn Glindemann, Deputy Chair, Australian Environment and Planning Law Group, Legal Practice Section, Law Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 38. See also Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 3.

[130]    Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 3.

[131]    Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 30, p. 3.

[132]    Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 7.

[133]    National Farmers' Federation, Submission 17, p. 2; Ms Sarah Asokendaran, Submission 19, pp. 8–11; Ms Sarah Asokendaran, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 14.

[134]    Ms Robyn Glindemann, Deputy Chair, Australian Environment and Planning Law Group, Legal Practice Section, Law Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 38.

[135]    Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p. 1.

[136]    Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 4.

[137]    Ms Helen Bishop, Submission 31, p. 2.

[138]    Ms Helen Bishop, Submission 31, p. 5.

[139]    Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd, Submission 22, pp. 7–8.

[140]    Productivity Commission, National Water Reform, Report no. 87, December 2017, Canberra, pp. 18, 29.

[141]    Productivity Commission, National Water Reform, Report no. 87, December 2017, Canberra, p. 26.

[142]    New South Wales Minerals Council, Submission 15, p. 5; Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, pp. 20–24.

[143]    Ms Corinne Unger, Submission 24, p. 2; Ms Corinne Unger, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 8.

[144]    Ms Corinne Unger, Submission 24, pp. 3, 4, 6; Ms Corinne Unger, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, pp. 11, 12.

[145]    Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 14; Dr Stuart Minchin, Chief, Environmental Geoscience Division, Geoscience Australia, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 40.

Chapter 4 - Impacts of water extraction

[1]        Dr Stuart Minchin, Chief, Environmental Geoscience Division, Geoscience Australia, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 42. See also International Association of Hydrogeologists, Submission 9, pp. 3–4.

[2]        Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, p. 1.

[3]        Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 4.

[4]        Ms Revel Pointon, Lawyer, Environmental Defenders Office Queensland, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 24.

[5]        Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 4; Dr Lange Jorstad, President, Australian Chapter, International Association of Hydrogeologists, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 3.

[6]        Buru Energy Limited, Submission 14, p. 3.

[7]        Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 2.

[8]        Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, pp. 2, 3.

[9]        Buru Energy Limited, Submission 14, p. 3

[10]      Australian Farmers for Climate Action, Submission 6, p. 2. See also Mr Mark McKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, New South Wales Irrigators Council, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 9.

[11]      Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 5.

[12]      International Association of Hydrogeologists, Submission 9, p. 4.

[13]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 7.

[14]      Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 9.

[15]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 5.

[16]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 108.

[17]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 2.

[18]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, pp. 2–3; NSW Irrigators' Council, Submission 11, p. 5.

[19]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 6.

[20]      Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p. 5.

[21]      Dr Lange Jorstad, President, Australian Chapter, International Association of Hydrogeologists, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 4.

[22]      University of Queensland, Centre for Coal Seam Gas, Submission 18, p. 5.

[23]      University of Queensland, Centre for Coal Seam Gas, Submission 18, p. 9 (p. 5 of legal overview included in submission).

[24]      Basin Sustainability Alliance, Submission 20, p. 9.

[25]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 163.

[26]      Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p. 7.

[27]      Ms Elizabeth Laird, Private capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, p. 12.

[28]      Mr Peter Wills, Private capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, p. 17.

[29]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 14; Australian Farmers for Climate Action,Submission 6, p. 4.

[30]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 14. See also Mr Tony Windsor MP and Mr John Clements, Submission 23, p. 2.

[31]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 3. See also Ms Georgina Woods, Policy Coordinator, Lock the Gate Alliance, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, pp. 30, 32; Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 8.

[32]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, pp. 5–6. See also Basin Sustainability Alliance, Submission 20, pp. 15–16. For a specific example of contamination of surface water, specifically Sydney's drinking water catchments, see the Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd, Submission 16.

[33]      New South Wales Minerals Council, Submission 15, p. 5.

[34]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 2.

[35]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 14. See page 15 for a detailed list of ways in which risks of petroleum activities damaging water quality and quantity are mitigated and reduced.

[36]      Buru Energy Limited, Submission 14, p. 3.

[37]      Conservation Council of South Australia, Submission 10, p. 2; P. Cook, V. Beck, D. Brereton, R. Clark, B. Fisher, S. Kentish, J. Toomey and J. Williams, Engineering energy: Unconventional gas production, report for the Australian Council of Learned Academies, 2013, p. 128.

[38]      Ms Corinne Unger, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, pp. 10–11.

[39]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 2; Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p. 6.

[40]      Conservation Council of Western Australia, Submission 27, p. 21. In its response to the Conservation Council of Western Australia's submission, Vimy Resources, the company managing the Mulga Rocks uranium project, argued that its consultants had found that once water extraction had ceased, groundwater levels would gradually recover, and 'that there were no groundwater-dependent ecosystems that could be impacted as a result of the extraction'. See Response from Vimy Resources, Submission 27, pp. 4–5.

[41]      Associate Professor Grant Hose, Submission 5, p. 2.

[42]      Associate Professor Grant Hose, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 36; Associate Professor Grant Hose, Submission 5, p. 2.

[43]      Associate Professor Grant Hose, Submission 5, p. 2.

[44]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 3.

[45]      Conservation Council of South Australia, Submission 10, p. 2.

[46]      Associate Professor Grant Hose, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 36.

[47]      Associate Professor Grant Hose, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 36.

[48]      Associate Professor Grant Hose, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 37.

[49]      Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p. 9; Ms Georgina Woods, Policy Coordinator, Lock the Gate Alliance, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 32.

[50]      Conservation Council of Western Australia, Submission 27, p. 22. In its response to the Conservation Council of Western Australia's submission, Vimy Resources emphasised that its proposed reinjecting of aquifers carried minimal risk because the 'fault lines in the local area are not located anywhere near the reinjection borefield and have not been active for more than 100 million years'. See Response from Vimy Resources, Submission 27, p. 8.

[51]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 141.

[52]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 13.

[53]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 16.

[54]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 139.

[55]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 141.

[56]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 144.

[57]      Basin Sustainability Alliance, Submission 20, p. 16. See also Miss Helen Bender, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, pp. 4–5; Mr Tom Crothers, Consultant, Property Rights Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 36; Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, pp. 18–19; Conservation Council of South Australia, Submission 10, pp. 2–3; Miss Helen Bender, Submission 29, pp. 13–14.

[58]      Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory, Final Report, April 2018, p. 145.

[59]      See: EPA Tasmania, 'Mt Lyell Acid Drainage Remediation', http://epa.tas.gov.au/epa/water/remediation-programs/mt-lyell-acid-drainage-remediation (accessed 30 May 2018); Rum Jungle Traditional Owner Liaison Committee, Submission 31, p. 4.

[60]      Ms Corinne Unger, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, pp. 9-10.

[61]      Ms Corinne Unger, Submission 24, p. 1.

[62]      Ms Corinne Unger, Submission 24, p. 6, citing Laurence, 2006; Ms Corinne Unger, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 9.

[63]      Ms Corinne Unger, Submission 24, p. 2.

[64]      Ms Corinne Unger, Submission 24, p. 4, citing New South Wales Audit Office, 2012.

[65]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 7. See also Dr Stuart Minchin, Chief, Environmental Geoscience Division, Geoscience Australia, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 40.

[66]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 6, citing Franks et al, 2010.

[67]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 7.

[68]      Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Submission 7, p. 3.

[69]      Environmental Defenders' Offices of Australia, Submission 4, p. 6.

[70]      Dr Gavin Lind, Director, Workforce and Health, Safety, Environment and Communities, Minerals Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, p. 27.

[71]      Dr Lange Jorstad, President, Australian Chapter, International Association of Hydrogeologists, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, pp. 4, 5.

[72]      Dr Lange Jorstad, President, Australian Chapter, International Association of Hydrogeologists, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, pp. 4, 5.

[73]      Geoscience Australia, Submission 2, p. 3. See also Conservation Council of South Australia, Submission 10, p. 3.

[74]      Australian Farmers for Climate Action, Submission 6, p. 2.

[75]      NSW Irrigators' Council, Submission 11, p. 3.

[76]      Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Submission 7, p. 2. See also National Farmers' Federation, Submission 17, p. 8.

[77]      Ms Verity Morgan-Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer, Farmers for Climate Action, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, p. 1.

[78]      Mr Peter Wills, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, p. 18.

[79]      Ms Joanne Rea, Chair, Property Rights Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 31.

[80]      Ms Jody Brown, Private capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, p. 8.

[81]      Mr Maxwell Winders, Submission 25, p. 3.

[82]      Property Rights Australia Incorporated, Submission 21, p. 4.

[83]      Mr Angus Emmott, Private capacity, Proof Committee Hansard, 10 September 2018, p. 5.

[84]      NSW Irrigators' Council, Submission 11, p. 3.

[85]      Elly Bradfield, 'Acland "ghosts' returning to breathe life into the coal mining town for census night', ABC News, 9 August 2016, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-09/acland-ghosts-return-to-queensland-town-for-census-night/7704250 (accessed 29 May 2018).

[86]      Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p. 7.

[87]      Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, p. 7.

[88]      Kirrin McKechnie, 'New Acland coal mine expansion back on the table after Land Court decision rejected', ABC News, 2 May 2018, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-02/new-acland-coal-mine-expansion-back-on-the-table/9718230 (accessed 29 May 2018).

[89]      Dr Gavin Lind, Director, Workforce and Health, Safety, Environment and Communities, Minerals Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, p. 28.

[90]      Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 7; See also Ms Corinne Unger, Submission 24, p. 2; Lock the Gate Alliance, Submission 28, pp. 5–6; Ms Helen Bishop, Submission 31; Ms Revel Pointon, Lawyer, Environmental Defenders Office Queensland, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, p. 28.

[91]      Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 4.

[92]      Law Council of Australia, Submission 8, p. 4.

[93]      National Cultural Flows Research Project, About the project, http://culturalflows.com.au/~culturalflowscom/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=125 (accessed 28 May 2018).

[94]      International Association of Hydrogeologists, Submission 9, p. 4; See also Dr Malcolm Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, pp. 19, 20–21.

[95]      Minerals Council of Australia, Submission 13, pp. 27, 28. See also Dr Malcolm Roberts, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd, Committee Hansard, 2 May 2018, pp. 15, 16, 21.

[96]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 7.

[97]      Ms Robyn Glindemann, Deputy Chair, Australian Environment and Planning Law Group, Legal Practice Section, Law Council of Australia, Committee Hansard, 1 May 2018, p. 40.

[98]      Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Ltd (APPEA), Submission 22, p. 34.

Coalition Senators' dissenting report

[1]        Commonwealth of Australia, Independent Review of the Water Trigger Legislation, April 2017.