Resources Minister Dale Last introduced a bill that would restrict who can object to a mine and give politicians greater control over whether objections are heard in court.
Opponents argue it will undermine the approvals system, while the mining industry says it will cut regulation.
The new mining objections bill will now be debated in Queensland parliament.
Resources Minister Dale Last introduced the Mineral Resources Objections Reform and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 on Tuesday, arguing the changes would cut regulation and stop "vexatious" objections from holding up projects.
Under the proposed laws, objections would generally be restricted to landholders directly affected by a project and others living within 125 kilometres of a proposed mine.
Automatic referrals of objections to the Land Court would also disappear, with decisions about whether an objection went to court instead made through "a ministerial referral process".
Barrister and University of Queensland adjunct professor Chris McGrath said the changes would undermine the approvals system.
"This is another step of this current government in really hacking at the safety net of laws that protect Queenslanders from bad development," Dr McGrath said.
Dr McGrath said the proposed 125km limit failed to recognise that the effects of a mine could travel far beyond its immediate footprint.
Dr McGrath said the reforms could also restrict the ability of incorporated community groups to bring objections to the Land Court.
Mr Last said the bill would streamline the objections process without reducing environmental protections.
In June, the government launched a review of Queensland's mining rehabilitation financial safeguards.
Then in August, parliament passed critical-minerals laws giving the government new powers to fast-track projects declared "state strategic".