Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Hansard source

I'm speaking in continuance from the debate last night, and I'd like to conclude my remarks on the Atomic Energy Amendment (Mine Rehabilitation and Closure) Bill 2022. The coalition supports the development of other industries in the Kakadu area, including Jabiru, to supplement the loss of investment caused by the close-out of Ranger and to ensure opportunities for sustainable, tangible economic growth. Development in our regions is paramount for our nation's future, as is creating opportunities for Indigenous communities.

To conclude, the coalition supports the continued rehabilitation of the Ranger site and supports the progress of this bill to ensure that Energy Resources of Australia is able to continue its rehabilitation operations and monitoring. To secure future rehabilitation of the Ranger site, it is imperative that this bill passes to allow relevant stakeholders to commence negotiations on the next stages of the overall process. As referenced by CEO Brad Welsh, ERA therefore urges the parliament to consider this bill as a matter of urgency and well in advance of 23 November 2022 so that the bill can preferably be passed by parliament this calendar year. This will allow ERA and the traditional owners to move forward with their agreement negotiations with the Commonwealth and enable ERA to plan, with certainty, the world-class rehabilitation of the RPA. I commend this bill to the Senate.