My job description is to "interrogate priority coal and gas projects in Queensland". It's becoming increasingly difficult as the processes are amended to favour proponents. Solutions are needed.
As a former IA practitioner and academic turned paid activist, it is my job to engage with coal mining projects in Queensland, Australia. Matters are not helped by the current government which is systematically dismantling checks and balances for assessment and decision-making processes that were already quite one-sided. I will reflect on the difficulties of engaging with the IA process as an NGO and supporting members of the public to do the same, including how our submissions are treated, and the risks and rewards of legal challenge processes. More importantly however, I will also mull over possible solutions going forward, acting from both within and outside the system.
Dr Claire Gronow has been involved in impact assessment since early 1990s. She has worked as a consultant, academic and most recently as a campaigner and activist.