Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I too rise to take note of the question asked by Senator Duniam today. Listening to the contributions of two of my colleagues, particularly from Senator Sterle, you would think that there is absolutely nothing wrong with how this government is handling the mining and energy sector. Two and a half years ago, when they took government, there was great concern that there would be a sovereign risk in both of these sectors due to a Labor union-dominated government. Those whispers of sovereign risk are now turning into a deafening roar.

Not only is this decision by the minister to completely override all federal and state reports and authorities on Regis at the cost of $150 million and over 1,000 jobs but it actually demonstrates yet again this government's real agenda and approach to the mining and energy sectors. This is not the first time. Senator Sterle might be interested to know that this happened last week in Western Australia with another project. The Bellevue gold mine in Western Australia was the subject of another section 10 objection lodged by a single complainant, a move that AMEC claimed has direct implications for the already approved mining projects across the country. That is absolutely correct. AMEC CEO, Warren Pearce, said:

This is an incredibly disappointing decision that sets a truly terrible precedent for investment risk in Australia …

If any project, no matter how thoroughly consulted, negotiated, supported and assessed—

including by the local Indigenous land council—

… then how can any company—

Australian or overseas—

or investor have confidence to invest in Australia.

This is all coming at a time when the iron ore price is plummeting. China is producing less iron, and that is likely to continue. So, at a time when we need, more than ever, to be mining and extracting more minerals and energy from this country, particular critical minerals and rare earths, this government continues to speak through one side of its mouth to the minerals sector and through the other side to the green movement—and similarly in terms of its actions. This is a time when Australia needs to get rid of excessive red tape, green tape and all other sorts of tape. At the moment, it takes on average 16 years from somebody finding a mineral deposit and going through the process to starting extraction—16 years!

Everybody here knows that the transition to net zero requires new energy technologies, and they require a vast amount of critical minerals and rare earths. Australia could be producing these in an environmentally friendly way, sustainably and slavery free, none of which occurs with the commodities that we are getting processed from China. Those opposites say, 'Oh, yes, we need to do more about this industry,' but they are making it worse. Ultimately, this is going to cost the Australian economy dearly. Having China stockpiling and processing most of these is a significant national security issue. They've got their own stockpiles but tomorrow could turn the tap off for our industry, pretty much grinding it to a halt.

What are those opposite doing? Their nature positive approach. All of the states and territories, and all of the regulatory bodies, say to go ahead on the Regis goldmine, but Tanya Plibersek says she will make a decision and override everybody on the basis of a local Indigenous group who are not the recognised Indigenous landholders. In answer to Senator Sterle's question about why he hasn't heard why this decision was made: the minister's decision ignores the concerns of Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, which has the legitimate legislative authority to speak for country. That land council said there were no concerns that could not be managed with this goldmine. It's a matter of concern to the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council that these claims have been made by people and the minister has listened to them and nobody else— (Time expired)