GREENS MP Lee Rhiannon has criticised the Environment Minister John Robertson for his refusal during question time to acknowledge there was a problem with dust emissions from coal mining in the Upper Hunter.
The Minister also claimed it was unnecessary to reopen a department office in Muswellbrook to monitor, investigate and prosecute air pollution offences.
Rhiannon says while coal mining is expanding at great pace in the Upper Hunter, the new Environment Minister appears blind to the resulting public health consequences.
Rhiannon says while the Minister acknowledged there was community concern about dust emissions but denied it was a problem.
Robertson claimed existing arrangements were sufficient to ensure dust pollution is monitored. He refused to accept that a Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water office should be reopened in Muswellbrook.
The Greens are concerned that the new Air Quality Monitoring Network is simply window dressing, designed to deflect community concern about the adverse impacts of coal mining on local's health.
The Greens are calling for the Air Quality Monitoring Network Memorandum of Understanding to be released so the local community can scrutinise the arrangement.