The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) is seeking further clarity on the introduction of the Nature Positive legislation and the “closed room” briefings that have followed.
As this news service previously reported, the Nature Positive Bill proposes to establish a statutory agency to be known as Environment Protection Australia, which would be led by a CEO.
AMEC says this legislation to overhaul the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act is being rushed through parliament, after a process “shrouded in secrecy.”
The organisation says it is considered that currently exempt regional forest agreements and logging could be included in the legislation, as part of the agreement between the parties.
“This will have a significant impact on the operations of a number of members, as well as the exploration and mining sector,” AMEC says.
CEO Warren Pearce says the legislation is “flawed.”
“It is a shame that the government has done more consultation with the cross bench than it has with industry,” Pearce says.
“Make no mistake, this bill is a direct threat to the mining and exploration industry. It threatens projects, it threatens investor confidence, and it threatens Australian jobs.”
Earlier this year, the Australian Government committed to further public consultation of changes to the legislation.
AMEC says the mining and resources industry were told there would be an opportunity to engage in the process, consult their stakeholders, and provide feedback to support a new bill that worked in the interest of all parties.
However, Pearce says it appears the only cooperation is between political parties concerned about saving votes at the election than protecting the environment or supporting the industry.
“It’s ironic that this haphazard and rushed legislative agenda, is in stark contrast to the procedural driven process required of companies trying to get approvals for a project under EPBC,” he says.
“To rush it through amongst an avalanche of other bills, is putting the lifeblood of the Australian economy at risk.
“The last thing Australia needs on the eve of Christmas, is rushed changes to legislation that makes one of our most successful industries less competitive.”
Pearce notes that these reforms will create unnecessary layers of bureaucracy for industry that will weaken its economy and threaten billions of dollars’ worth of projects.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Mount Burgess
