Dutton vows nixed McPhillamys gold mine to go ahead under Coalition

Peter Dutton has vowed to push a motion in the Senate to overturn the federal government’s decision on McPhillamys gold mine — and flagged changes to Indigenous heritage laws to prevent projects being blocked in future.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has vowed to get the McPhillamys gold mine project up and running again as he flagged changes to the Indigenous heritage laws that allowed the “disgraceful” decision by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to shut down the project outside Orange last month.

Mr Dutton said that the call by Ms Plibersek “sent a chill across the resources industry and painted a very bleak future for mining in our country”.

“Under a Coalition government I lead, today we announce that we will overturn this bad Labor decision and get this project up and running,” he vowed.

“Local communities lose out when Labor governments kill their opportunities for a political reason — all to curry favour with the Greens in inner-city seats.

“This was a shocking move which will potentially compromise other economic developments and, with it, increase our sovereign risk.”

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has been accused of being more keen on solar panels than mines. Picture: Lachlan Leeming

The Daily Telegraph understands that along with seeking to overturn the decision in parliament next week, Mr Dutton is also keen to amend Indigenous heritage protection laws should the Coalition win power, to give more certainty to investors while also protecting the economic and cultural interests of Indigenous Australians.

Last month, Ms Plibersek controversially used the laws to block a key part of the project, despite it having won the tick of approval from the local Aboriginal Land Council.

Federal Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton has vowed to get the mine back up. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Environment Minister invoked the rarely used Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Heritage Protection Act after taking advice about the mine from a smaller rival Indigenous group which claimed that a tailings dam necessary for the mine’s operation would damage sacred ground.

Next week, opposition environment spokesman Jonno Duniam is expected to bring on debate on a motion to disallow Ms Plibersek’s decision in the Senate when parliament resumes.

“My motion in the federal parliament next week gives all senators the chance to reverse the disastrous Section 10 declaration that sunk the gold mine and, with it, 800 jobs,” Mr Duniam said.

“This mine is too important for it to be put on the scrap heap by the most anti-mining government Australia has ever seen.

“We are seeking to overturn this decision next week and, if we can’t, we will guarantee its future if a Dutton government is elected.”

Community members from Blayney who are upset that the federal government stopped a gold mine from going ahead in the area. Picture: Graham Schumann

The issue of the gold mine was the hottest topic at last week’s Daily Telegraph Bush Summit in Orange, with locals venting their anger over the decision.

On Thursday, Ms Plibersek stood firm on her decision, claiming that the mine could still go ahead if a new site was found for the tailings dam, despite the potential for new approvals to take years.

“This area is important for local traditional owners,” she said.

“I’ve said that the tailings dam can’t go on the headwaters and springs of the river. This is a 2500 hectare site.”

“The gold mine itself can go ahead. There’s no problem with the gold mine going ahead. 16 per cent of the site is protected.”

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