Trust has not been damaged after a backflip on cultural heritage safety legal guidelines and mining firms is not going to be out of pocket, Western Australia’s Minister for Mines says.
Bill Johnston fronted the Diggers and Dealers Mining Forum in Kalgoorlie, a day after Premier Roger Cook axed the month-old legal guidelines following widespread anger among the many farming neighborhood on the stricter controls.
“Mining companies that are in production already have very strong relationships with their traditional owners,” Mr Johnston stated on Wednesday.
“Some of the challenges and issues that were being raised by others were not necessarily raised by mining companies, but certainly exploration companies raised a range of issues.”
One of Western Australia’s strengths is the connection between the mining trade and conventional homeowners, he stated.
“I don’t believe the trust is broken between Western Australians and the government.”
Asked whether or not the federal government would reimburse prices to firms who had ready for the brand new legal guidelines, he stated “nobody has to start again” on approvals.
“I’m not aware of anybody being out of pocket because of the new Aboriginal cultural heritage legislation,” he stated.
Mr Johnston rejected any hyperlink to faltering public help in his state for the voice to parliament forward of the looming nationwide referendum.
“The decision by Roger Cook is not related to the voice to parliament. It’s about making sure that we have a proper response to protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage here in Western Australia,” he stated.
The amended cultural heritage laws is scheduled to be tabled in state parliament on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, gold miners talking on the discussion board need the embattled Perth Mint, one of many world’s largest handlers of gold, to stay in authorities palms.
“We haven’t made any decision to to change the ownership structure,” the minister stated.
An inquiry is analyzing the Mint’s adherence to 4 particular legal guidelines of the commonwealth, together with adherence to anti-money laundering legal guidelines.
“No one has ever made an allegation that Perth Mint has facilitated money laundering,” he stated.
“Critics need to either prove their case or stop talking … this constant negativity towards an important institution in Western Australia can’t continue.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
