Business faces potentially significant regulatory risks on carbon at state level, with many environmental agencies equipped to impose more stringent requirements.
The Queensland government has clarified when it will hold banks, shareholders, landowners and senior managers accountable for environmental harm caused by a company in financial difficulties.
A court has ruled that a $12.5 million rehabilitation assurance imposed on a gold mine was excessive and should not have taken into account the precautionary principle.
The Queensland Government has exercised little-used legislative provisions to limit appeals against Adani's Carmichael coal mine and related infrastructure.
Rio Tinto will hand over $80 million for rehabilitation works as part of its $1 sale of a coal mine, but the prospective new owner must demonstrate to the Queensland government that the funds are sufficient.
A Queensland MP has accused the state's environment department of being implicated in a 'protection racket' for not taking compliance action against a company that plans to re-use waste coal products.
Queensland's Environment Minister Steven Miles has signalled further changes to the way financial assurances are imposed on major projects and has flagged new efforts to deal with problem wastes.