The passage of the EPBC Act amendments reinforces the damaging anti-industry approach by the Gillard Government according to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME).
“Just over a year ago, the Government agreed to remove duplication and double handling of environment assessments and approvals, said CME Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith.
“Now we’ve seen the Federal Government back-flip and pass the ‘water trigger’ amendment bill which requires EPBC Act assessment and approval of coal seam gas and large coal mining developments which impact on a water resource,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
“The 'water trigger' represents a significant backwards step in much needed reform to streamline and remove duplication for major project approvals,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
CME is concerned the passage of this legislation will increase costly duplication in the approvals process and weaken Australia’s economic competitiveness. These amendments will not only duplicate existing state and territory processes, but in the process add new layers of uncertainty, complexity and cost to resource projects at a time Australia is already increasingly becoming a less attractive place to develop projects.
“CME remains concerned there appears to be little understanding in Canberra of how difficult business conditions are for many in the resource sector. The cost of doing business and unnecessary administrative processes, along with volatile commodity prices are significant challenges for the development of many resource projects,” said Mr Howard-Smith.
