Senator WATERS (Queensland) (14:55): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment, Senator Birmingham. Over the weekend, we learned that another megacoalmine in the Galilee Basin, located just above Adani— Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Waters, please stop. On my right, I've insisted on silence during questions. That applies around the entire chamber. Senator WATERS: Thanks, President. The China Stone mine is now moving ahead. The Adani mine would suck 12½ billion litres of water from the Suttor River and up to six gigalitres of groundwater in a region already crippled by drought. The China Stone mine is expected to need about as much water, so, if both mines were to proceed, it would double the take of surface and groundwater. If both mines proceeded, they would use twice as much as all other users of the Suttor River combined. This region is crippled by drought. Fifty-eight per cent of Queensland is crippled by drought. Will the minister finally stand up for our environment and our precious water and reject this new water-hungry mega thermal coalmine? The PRESIDENT: Before I call the minister to answer the question, statements of fact are allowed as long as they are strictly relevant to the question. I encourage senators to remember that when they're phrasing their questions. I call the minister: Senator Birmingham, representing the Minister for the Environment.