Reprieve for Abbott's booby after Christmas Island mining expansion ruled out

Coalition says phosphate exploration would have had unacceptable impact on endangered seabirdThe Turnbull government has knocked back a controversial phosphate exploration proposal on Christmas Island "because it is likely to have significant and unacceptable impacts on matters protected under national environment law".Phosphate Resources Limited - the owners of a phosphate mine on Christmas Island - had proposed to clear 6.83ha of land and undertake exploration drilling along 44 survey lines in an effort to determine the extent of the additional phosphate resources on Christmas Island. Continue reading...