Don’t rush mining bill

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Country Times editors views

THERE is growing concern the state government will try to pass its Mining Bill before the end of the parliamentary sitting year, especially in the local farming community.

This is despite the Liberal Party, when in opposition last year, refusing to support Labor’s mining bill, saying it was being rushed through. More thorough consultation should be held before the bill became law, the Libs said. Here we are a year later and there are nine sitting days left, the final three of which are optional. The Libs, now in government, have a Mining Bill they seem very keen on. There are a couple of problems though. Firstly, it’s almost the same as Labor’s bill. The Libs say it will better protect farmers against mining companies compared with what Labor had proposed, but any improvements are negligible. Secondly, the Libs haven’t provided thorough consultation either, despite promising they would. Outcry from locals persuaded Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan to visit and hear their concerns. To his credit he did, twice, although it seems unlikely those visits will result in better outcomes for farmers. Many landowners believe farming and mining cannot coexist. The government will definitely not agree with that stance, so it must instead provide a fair balance between the two industries. The proposed mining bill does not offer that balance. If it did, farmers would not be so outraged, and Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis would not be vowing to cross the floor and vote against his own party’s bill. It is not clear when exactly that vote will happen. But if the government values the opinions of local farmers it should wait until proper consultation has taken place, and there won’t be time for that before the end of the 2018 parliamentary sitting year.

Nick Perry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Perry, Editor editorial@ypct.com.au

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