Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce introduced a motion in the Federal Parliament today calling for further protections to be put in place for the Great Artesian Basin.
Mr Boyce said he has been fighting to protect the Great Artesian Basin for many years.
"In 2018, I expressed my strong opposition to anything that could compromise the Great Artesian Basin in my Maiden Speech as the Member for Callide in the Queensland State Parliament.
"Back then, I stopped Glencore/ CTSCo's proposal to inject industrial waste into the Great Artesian Basin at Wandoan.
"A couple of years later in 2023, I found out about Glencore/ CTSCo's proposal to inject industrial waste into the Great Artesian Basin near Moonie in southern Queensland.
"Since then, I have written countless letters, made countless calls and had countless meetings to stop this madness.
"In December last year, the Labor-Greens Government quashed an attempt by The Nationals in Parliament, to ensure important safeguards are in place to protect Australia's water aquifers.
"Along with the Leader of the Nationals, we moved an amendment to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act so that the Commonwealth, as well as the Queensland Government, undertakes appropriate assessments of carbon sequestration projects.
"The Nationals fought for a commonsense solution to ensure our farmers and communities have confidence in the approval process of carbon sequestration projects by asking for these projects to be assessed under the Federal Act as well.
"The current EPBC Act doesn't go far enough in ensuring the appropriate approval process is in place and it was a disgrace that it was voted down by Labor and the Greens.
"I commend the work of the Queensland State Government that recently banned carbon capture and storage in the Great Artesian Basin in Queensland.
"However, it is critical that the New South Wales, South Australia and Northern Territory Government's do the same.
"I once again call on the Government to protect Australia's water aquifers and oppose Glencore/ CTSCo's proposal to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2 hypercritical fluid) into the Great Artesian Basin.
"The future of this nation and its regional communities depend on it."
