NewsBite

Mining industry concerned EDO ‘doubling down’ on McPhillamys gold mine win

The Environmental Defenders Office has created a ‘specialist team’ to protect Indigenous heritage on sites of potential resources projects, raising industry concerns.

The mining industry is concerned the Environmental Defenders Office is “doubling down” on its win in halting Regis’s McPhillamys gold mine in regional NSW.
The mining industry is concerned the Environmental Defenders Office is “doubling down” on its win in halting Regis’s McPhillamys gold mine in regional NSW.

The Environmental Defenders Office has created a new “specialist team” to protect Indigenous heritage on the sites of potential resources projects, raising industry concerns the activist legal group is “doubling down” on its win in halting Regis’s McPhillamys gold mine in regional NSW.

The peak bodies for the mining and gas sectors blasted the ongoing federal funding of the EDO, after the group revealed it was establishing a new arm dedicated to protecting Indigenous culture and heritage.

NSW Minerals Council chief executive Stephen Galilee accused the EDO of “looking to ramp up its job destroying eco-lawfare activities”.

“Having helped blocked the McPhillamys gold mine, who will be next?” he said

“What major project will next be targeted on environmental or cultural lawfare grounds by the taxpayer-funded EDO?”

Tanya Plibersek backs section ten declaration in local NSW gold mine

Labor’s decision to effectively block the $1bn Blayney mine this year followed concern raised by the EDO and Bathurst-based Wiradyuri traditional owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation that the project’s proposed tailings dam would damage an area sacred to a “blue-banded bee” dreaming tradition.

The Australian revealed last month that the EDO organised two archaeologists to review the work of the prior surveyors of the mine, with their work casting doubt on previous assessments commissioned by the NSW government and Regis Resources.

The blocking of the tailings dam was against the recommendation of the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, with the local Indigenous body deeming the site held no cultural significance.

In an update to supporters this month, EDO outlined a restructure to take the firm to the “next five years and beyond”.

“These changes have been two years in the making and see state-based practices bolstered, a new national litigation team and a renewed focus on the Pasifik,” the EDO says. “(The) EDO now has a dedicated First Nations Country and Cultural Heritage Program, established to provide services to First Nations peoples seeking legal support to protect their culture and Country.”

Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable. Picture: Colin Murty
Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable. Picture: Colin Murty
Australian Energy Producers chief executive Samantha McCulloch. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail
Australian Energy Producers chief executive Samantha McCulloch. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable said the new program represented “yet another attempt to block investment and job-creating projects that Traditional Owner communities rely on, weaponising Indigenous cultural heritage in the process”.

“The EDO’s actions clearly show they are not working in the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – they have one goal: to stop all mining in its tracks. That means halting a modern economy that relies on mining for everyday life,” she said.

“At a time when Australia needs investment to secure jobs and support our future, the EDO’s actions risk deterring progress and leaving another generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people dependent on welfare rather than opportunity.”

Australian Energy Producers chief executive Samantha McCulloch said the EDO had “demonstrated it is more interested in engaging in legal activism than genuinely representing the interests of traditional owners”.

“It is unacceptable that the EDO continues to receive $2m a year in taxpayer funds to disrupt and delay critical energy projects and put Australia’s economic and energy security at risk,” she said.

The EDO restructure follows the Albanese government reinstating the group’s funding of more than $8m over four years, which it has committed to continue despite the Federal Court questioning the firm’s conduct in a legal matter against Santos, in which the firm was accused of engaging in “subtle coaching” of some witnesses.

Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman
Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman

A review launched by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek found the EDO did not breach the conditions of its federal funding.

Opposition environment spokesman Jonathon Duniam said he was “afraid” the EDO’s expansion of their activities would further set back economic opportunities for regional and remote communities.

Senator Duniam said the federal funding of the EDO, which would reach $15m by 2030 should Labor continue funding at the same level in its next term of government, was inappropriate.

“How the Albanese government sees it as appropriate to plunge cash into this organisation, which then uses it to hold up projects that have governmental approval, is beyond belief.,” he said

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/why-mining-industry-is-concerned-edo-doubling-down-on-mcphillamys-win/news-story/601bf448603022f172eac2cd1fcbf528