NSW greenlights largest coal mine; federal climate adviser warns of unaccounted economic damage

New South Wales approved the largest coal mining project in its history, prompting Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean to publicly challenge the decision, arguing the state's planning commission failed to account for climate-related economic damage. The approval signals continued fossil fuel expansion despite federal climate commitments, creating a policy rift between state and federal levels. The economic and emissions impact of the mine remains unquantified in the public domain.