Environmental assessment MOU a step forward but full accreditation needed to cut approval delays

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CME) welcomes the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on bilateral accreditation entered into by the Commonwealth and WA Governments today. 

CME Chief Executive Officer Aaron Morey said promised improvements to project assessment timeframes hinged on stripping unnecessary duplication from the approvals system.  

“CME continues to call for WA to be accredited to both assess and approve projects on behalf of the Commonwealth,” Mr Morey said. 

“Absent bilateral accreditation, it is very difficult to see how any material improvement in assessment timeframes can be delivered.” 

Mr Morey highlighted the MOU was conditional on finalising the National Environmental Standards that underpin the reformed Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. 

 “The standards released are unworkable in their current form and CME strongly supports the Senate Committee’s recent recommendation for further public consultation. 

“That consultation must be genuine and robust, and it must allow enough time to test the standards against real projects. 

“We cannot afford to permanently embed uncertainty and delay into our project assessment system. Doing so risks driving investment offshore, which carries damaging consequences for Australian jobs and standards of living.  

“The unfolding Middle East conflict has highlighted the importance of a strong resources sector.  

“Not only is revenue generated by our sector helping to fund the purchase of additional fuel on international markets, the minerals and energy we produce are powerful bargaining chips the Australian Government is actively leveraging to maintain access to liquid fuels.” 

Media contacts:

Josh Zimmerman j.zimmerman@cmewa.com / 0404 947 719

Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com / 0435 383 382