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How the Parties Rate

We wrote to the ALP, Greens, LNP and the Katter Party in March 2024 with our election platform asking them to provide their positions in response. The Greens have provided a comprehensive response, and both the ALP and the LNP have met with us to discuss our policy position. The ALP provided this letter addressing key issues. The LNP did not provide any written responses to our requests, however we have incorporated their statements made during the election campaign into our scorecard. 

For a full assessment of the political parties' policies on our election platform, please see here: full policy rating on Lock the Gate election platform.

The Greens policy is no new coal and gas projects. No other party has a policy to prevent new gas mines.

Currently, only the Greens oppose new coal mines.

The ALP does not oppose new coal mines. In just the last year, the ALP has approved a completely new mine, the Winchester South mine in the Bowen Basin.

The LNP did not respond to our requests in relation to their position, but based on their position when last in government they do not oppose new coal mines.

ALP: The ALP government has continued to approve coal seam gas projects on mapped prime agricultural land - the most recent example is the granting of an environmental authority for Comet Ridge’s Mahalo North project in the Southern Bowen Basin in August 2024. In September this year, the ALP committed to reforms to the assessment framework that will properly address coal seam gas induced subsidence backed by the findings of an expert panel. You can read the full letter here.

LNP: The LNP do have an overarching policy position on protecting agricultural land from new gas developments.  At a candidate’s forum on October 8th, Condamine MP Pat Weir committed to better protections for the Condamine Alluvium from coal seam gas wells.

Greens: Correspondence from the Greens dated July 2024 states, ‘In addition to protecting all of Queensland from any new coal, oil, or gas developments or expansions, the Greens oppose all coal seam gas (CSG) exploration and production, together with associated pipeline and export infrastructure developments. We support your proposal to provide landholders with an unequivocal legal right to veto CSG operations on their property, and to withdraw from current agreements without penalty, in light of new evidence about the impacts of CSG-induced subsidence.’

LNP: The Liberal National Party scrapped the right of landholders and regional communities to object to mining projects in 2014. We are seeking written confirmation from the LNP that they will not scrap these again. Thus far, the LNP have not committed to maintaining landowner and community rights.

ALP: The ALP restored community objection rights when they came to power in 2015.

KAP: Shane Knuth from the Katters supported the ALP’s reinstatement of objection rights in 2015.

Greens: The Greens support the right of communities to object to mining proposals (noting also their position that there should be no new coal and gas projects).

ALP: In August 2024 the Miles government introduced regulatory changes implementing their commitment to protect the Channel Country in Western Queensland from new oil and gas developments.

Greens: The Greens support protections for the Channel Country from new oil and gas.

LNP: Shadow Environment spokesperson Sam O’Connor has committed to further consultation on the best protections for the areas, without supporting the proposed reforms. 

Katter: We were unable to find any public statements from the Katters on protecting the Channel Country.

ALP: The Labor Party has introduced new climate targets and accompanying legislation that requires the creation of sectoral mitigation plans. In September 2024 they wrote to us confirming that they will require all new and existing mines to demonstrate how they are abating greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with Australia’s commitment to the global methane pledge. You can read the whole letter here.

LNP: The LNP did not oppose the passing of the Clean Economy Jobs Act. However their policy platform for the Queensland election does not include any climate commitments, and they have no plans to specifically address coal mine methane.  

Greens:  In March 2023 the Greens introduced the Queensland Climate Transition Bill which would give the Queensland Climate Transition Authority the power to revoke or amend existing permits for fossil fuel operations to ensure that the permits are consistent with climate targets.