Clive’s project wins on merit

THE Abbott Government is defending its decision to approve Clive Palmer’s $6.4 billion coal project in Queensland’s Galilee Basin, saying his role in parliament had nothing to do with the outcome.

Mr Palmer’s Waratah Coal has been given the green light to build a thermal coal project near Alpha in Queensland’s central west, plus a rail line linking the project to a proposed port at Abbot Point.

Environment Minister Greg Hunt on Friday approved the environmental impact statement for the project, publishing his report on his department’s website.

Parliamentary Secretary Paul Fletcher said the project was considered by the environment minister on its merit alone.