An open-cut coal mine proposed by billionaire Clive Palmer has been rejected on environmental grounds.

It was planned for Central Queensland, 130 kilometres north-west of Rockhampton in the Styx Basin.

It’s the first time environment laws have been used to stop a coal mine.

In a social media post, Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek says the “risk of pollution and irreversible damage” to the Great Barrier Reef, just 10 kilometres away, was too real.

“I have decided that the adverse environmental impacts are simply too great.”

An update on the proposed Central Queensland Coal project. pic.twitter.com/byAXTPLRB4

— Tanya Plibersek (@tanya_plibersek) February 8, 2023

Neil Breen says the federal government has never blocked the development of a coal mine before.

Press PLAY below to hear Neil explain the news

Image + video: Tanya Plibersek, Twitter