Qld minister says new powers needed

The Queensland environment minister will be hoping to secure cross-bench support to get a tough new environmental bill across the line and passed by the parliament this week.

Dr Steven Miles said the Chain of Responsibility bill was more necessary than ever given Linc Energy's announcement on Friday that it had gone into voluntary administration.

If the bill is passed, the government could retrospectively investigate companies from the time the bill was first tabled in parliament on March 15.

Dr Miles said in that instance it would include Linc Energy.

The Queensland-based company still faces criminal charges over allegations it caused serious environmental harm at its Hopeland plant, west of Brisbane.