A decision by the federal government to extend three coal mines is in line with climate laws, the environment minister says, despite concerns the move undermines credibility in tackling rising emissions.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek signed off on Tuesday to extensions to two coal mines in the NSW Hunter Valley and another in the state's north-west.
Ms Plibersek said the decision was consistent with environmental laws.
"The Albanese government has to make decisions in accordance with the facts and the national environmental law, that's what happened on every project and that's what's happened here," she said in a statement.
"The government will continue to consider each project on a case-by-case basis, under the law. These are not new projects, these three approvals are all extensions of existing operations."
The decisions relate to coal producer Whitehaven's Narrabri underground mine's stage three expansion project, Ashton Coal's Ravensworth mine and Mach Energy's Mount Pleasant optimisation project.
It's expected emissions from the extensions meet the threshold under the federal government's safeguard mechanism, which aims at reducing emissions from large industrial sites.
"The emissions from these projects will be considered by (Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen) under the government's strong climate laws that were supported by the Greens political party and independents.
But Greens leader Adam Bandt said the decision damaged the government's standing on climate action.
"(The decision is) a betrayal of our environment, the science and everyone who voted for climate action," he said on social media.
"If Labor every gave a damn about the climate crisis, they don't now."
Climate program manager at the Australian Conservation Foundation Gavan McFadzean said the move was a backwards step.
"It is grossly irresponsible to be approving coal mines when global scientists and the International Energy Agency have repeated calls for no new coal and gas projects if we have any chance of having a safe climate," he said.
"These approvals will have consequences for everyday Australians who are forced to live on the forefront of climate damage."
