SEPTEMBER 28, 2015: I have put new Liberal Government leaders on notice in regard to legislation to end extreme green court challenges; if ‘lawfare’ legislation is scrapped, I will move my own private member’s bill to reintroduce it.There is too much at stake for the people of Mackay and Bowen and surrounding areas for the Coalition Government to step away from this legislation which has the aim of protecting thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment.Our unemployment figures have actually doubled over the past 12 months and the need for job-creating projects in the north has never been greater.The Carmichael Coal Project, with associated mine, rail and port development, would provide a huge boost to this region so we cannot allow extreme green groups to continue their campaign of mounting court action after court action to frustrate and delay projects to the point where they become no longer viable.Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott directly addressed the issue in Parliament on August 18 when he announced that the Liberal National Government would repeal Section 487.2 of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act. This would stop groups which are not directly or indirectly affected by projects from mounting court challenges.These groups have no right or authority to challenge projects which have the potential to totally transform the economic picture in our region, and I will continue the fight against the actions of these job-destroyers who are on a mission to stop coal projects altogether.If the current legislation is scrapped for any reason, I will immediately move a private member’s bill to get this legislative change back on the table.