Federal election a 'wake-up call' for Queensland government - SBS

Queensland's Labor government has been warned to think hard about its handling of Adani's plans to dig a new coal mine, with federal MPs saying it stopped Labor clinching government at the weekend poll.

Science Minister Karen Andrews says voters, fed up with a delay in getting the mine started in the Galilee Basin, secured the Liberal National Party's victory in the Sunshine State and helped return Scott Morrison's government.

"The state government needs to have a serious rethink about what they had on their agenda for the future," she told ABC radio on Monday.

A Stop Adani rally.

AAP

"Australians used their voices and they spoke very loudly and very clearly about what's important to them."

The result has spooked Labor about its hopes of re-election at next year's state poll and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says her focus will be firmly on how the government can support job creation.

"We're going to redouble our efforts. I'm quite sure federal Labor are going to redouble their efforts," she said on Sunday.

Federal Labor's campaign message has been criticised for being too complicated compared to the Coalition's strategy.

There are also concerns within Labor's ranks that regional Queensland is not properly represented in shadow cabinet, and that issues impacting voters in the bush are not being heard, let alone understood.

Communities and the MPs who represent them want a decision on Adani sooner rather than later, fearing a repeat of the havoc it caused during the 2017 state poll.

It has become synonymous with anti-coal protesters who carry concerns about the environment, but also job opportunities for central and north Queenslanders.

Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

AAP

Adani has the licence to mine, but is yet to meet a number of environmental approvals before it can start construction.

In the time that has passed since the firm first sought approval for the thermal coal mine, the Queensland government has approved other new coal mines and expansions to existing projects.

Primary producers have voiced their concerns about the proposed mine's impact on groundwater reserves, an issue that has taken a back seat to the government's treatment of the Black-Throated Finch.

Ms Palaszczuk denies her government's approach to Adani, and refusal to fast track approvals for the mine heavily influenced voters.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington disagrees, and on Monday said the Queensland government was to thank for her party's federal win.

She has demanded a call be made on the Galilee Basin project immediately.

The state Labor government has copped criticism from federal Labor MPs in the fallout of Saturday's result.

The party's immigration spokesman, Shayne Neumann, admitted the state's handling of Adani as being partly responsible for its defeat.

When questioned over the government's response to climate change, Ms Andrews did not dispute the climate was changing, but said she wants to see more evidence people are contributors.

That attitude has alarmed Labor's Graham Perrett, who retained his seat of Moreton.

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