State member for Mount Isa Rob Katter said the Bill would mean mining companies would be given special preferences over landholders and farmers.

“(The bill) basically gives special privileges and rights to the mining industry - mining companies largely exempted from buying water licences, where every other user, including graziers, have to buy water licences,” he said.

“Ordinarily I'm very supportive of the mining industry, but the balance has swung too far with graziers, already suffering from this drought, now with their water allocations at risk.”

The Bill was introduced by Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps who argued it would mean more proficient water markets.

“In recognition that water is critical in the economic development of Queensland, whether it be through the resources or agriculture sectors, the new purpose will guide the Water Act to provide an improved framework to facilitate the operation of efficient water markets across Queensland,” Mr Cripps said when presenting the bill in Parliament today.

“The new purpose will continue to recognise the importance of sustaining ecosystem health, water quality and water dependent ecological processes and biological diversity associated with catchments, watercourses, lakes, springs, aquifers and other natural systems.”

“The Newman government is committed to ensuring that impacts on underground water from resource activities are managed fairly and consistently.”

The Queensland Lock the Gate Alliance said the LNP’s rush to placate big mining companies in State Parliament was evidence of why Queenslanders must take the current Senate inquiry seriously.

The Bill will gives mining companies unrestricted water use without the need for a water licence.

The proposed changes have received widespread criticism from farmers, local government, environmentalists, water experts and even the Queensland Resources Council.

Lock the Gate Alliance president, Drew Hutton said the LNP’s rush to pass such wide-ranging Bills that favour mining companies was more evidence of why the Senate hearings into the Queensland Government were so important.

“The Senate hearings provide a way of shining a light on the shenanigans and dodgy dealings between Queensland politicians and the big end of town,” Mr Hutton said.

“Queenslanders should not allow the likes of Senators O’Sullivan, McGrath and Macdonald to high-jack the hearings so that what is going on can continue to be swept under the carpet.”

* Give mining companies privileged status over the rest of Queensland;

* Mean water planning aimed at maintaining our precious groundwater will not apply to the water mining companies using it to get at the coal;

* Decrease Great Artesian Basin water supplies that are irreplaceable;

* Ignore the fact the no ‘make good agreement’ can cover the permanent loss of water;

* Ignore the fact that mining companies already treat the ‘make good agreements’ with contempt;

* Be another nail in the coffin of the Great Barrier Reef.