Two board members of the body that protects the Great Barrier Reef reportedly have substantial mining interests and links to corrupt former NSW Labor minister Eddie Obeid.
Documents obtained by the ABC show the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) has taken an increasingly weaker position on new port developments near the reef.
Greenpeace spokeswoman Louise Matthiesson says that's because two board members have potential conflicts of interest.
Jon Grayson is director-general of Premier Campbell Newman's department and represents the state on the board.
He owns a one sixth share of Gasfields Water and Waste Services, a company founded in June.
Eddie Obeid's son, Eddie Obeid Jnr, sold off another sixth share in the same company in August.
Tony Mooney is an executive at Guildford Coal, a company which plans to run six mines and funded a feasibility study into the expansion of Townsville port.
Mr Mooney received a $5000 donation from the Obeid Corporation when he ran for federal parliament in 2010.
The board has been asked to take a position on a series of massive port developments being planned along the Queensland coast, which environmentalists warn will devastate the reef.
Board meeting minutes show it changed it's position in September 2012 from not supporting any developments with the potential to degrade inshore biodiversity to saying that new developments should take inshore biodiversity into consideration.
Ms Matthiesson believes Mr Grayson and Mr Mooney influenced that decision and they should step aside.
"The new (federal) Environment Minister Greg Hunt was not responsible for appointing them. We'd urge him to have a close look at their interests and revisit the decision to have them on the board," she told the ABC's 730 program on Tuesday.
Queensland's government has rejected any suggestion Mr Grayson has a conflict of interest.
"Following his appointment, and in accordance with the Queensland integrity commissioner's advice, Mr Grayson ceased to have any management involvement in active companies," a statement said.
"His retention of passive interests is in accordance with the commissioner's advice and poses no real or potential conflict of interest."
Mr Mooney has also said he's declared all possible conflicts of interest.
Both men have refused to be interviewed.
Comment is being sought from the GBRMPA board.
A spokesman for Mr Hunt said the minister had ordered an immediate probity inquiry into all allegations made.
"All appointments to the board were made prior to this government," he said.
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