Barnaby Joyce: using constitution to block Shenhua would be 'disastrous'

The deputy prime minister rejects suggestion by constitutional expert George Williams that section 51 could be used to halt mine on environmental grounds

Barnaby Joyce has rejected outright the use of an export power in the constitution to stop the Shenhua Watermark mine, saying it would be "economically and socially disastrous".

Joyce told the Q&A audience in Tamworth this week that the commonwealth could do very little to stop mining on prime agricultural land near his New England electorate after an audience member asked about the commonwealth powers.