Adani mine in minister's hands: treasurer

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says the final approvals for the Adani coal mine are in the environment minister's hands, defending an apparent delay on the project.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has defended an apparent delay on final approvals for the Adani coal mine.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg handed down his first budget last week. Source: AAP

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has defended a hold-up in final approvals for the Adani coal mine in Queensland.

Mr Frydenberg said all major boxes had already been checked, and the environment minister was now working through "sub-approvals" in consultation with scientists.

"That's in the hands of the minister," he told the ABC's Insiders on Sunday.

The federal government needs to get a wriggle on with the Carmichael project, because there is no guarantee it will go ahead if Labor wins the next election.

There are some suggestions the government is deliberately dragging its feet on the Adani mine, given the issue of coal-fired power is so politically sensitive.

Queensland Nationals and conservative Liberal MPs are increasingly restless for the Galilee Basin project to go ahead, while their Victorian colleagues are nowhere near as enthusiastic.

Even still, the treasurer claims it is the Labor Party who are at odds over Adani.

"What we will not do is what Bill Shorten is saying, which is one message to the baristas of Batman, and another to the miners of Mackay," Mr Frydenberg said.

"The Labor Party doesn't know if it is Arthur or Martha on this."

Julia Banks, who is running against the Liberals after quitting the party last year, let her earrings do the talking.

My team know I love earrings and that I want to stop Adani - so they bought me these!" she posted to Twitter, alongside a photo of her jewellery bearing the protest slogan.

"Just like the Flinders community, we are all committed to stop Adani and move Australia towards a renewable future."


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Source: AAP


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