Blayney Gold Mine decision at odds with Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council
Labor’s decision to halt the $1 billion Blayney Gold Mine is at odds with previous claims by the recognised representative Indigenous group, the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the ‘irreversible damage’ and ‘permanent loss’ to Aboriginal cultural heritage would outweigh the cost of stopping the tailings dam.
However, Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council was neutral on the position.
“The Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council is the recognised Native Title holders of the site under New South Wales law, but the Minister has ignored them,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The Minister has turned a ‘baseless claim’ determined by an independent panel of the Wiradjuri Corporation into an ‘accepted truth’ over the cultural significance of the site, ignoring the Orange Land Council’s advice, who represent Indigenous Australians in the area.
“Minister Plibersek has made a political decision, thinking that she knew better on Indigenous cultural heritage issues than the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, which is the responsible Aboriginal Land Council.
“The Minister has used a Section 10 to put a stop to 800 jobs in the region as well as a future and a hope for the people of Blayney.
“The Minister also overruled the New South Wales Government and her own Department, further damaging the business community’s confidence in the Albanese Government.
“This decision creates sovereign risk, not just in the Central West, but Australia.”
The Minister’s Statement of Reasons was provided to mining company Regis Resources, following pressure from The Nationals in the House of Representatives last week.
Mr Littleproud said Labor must now publicly release the Statement of Reasons.
The Nationals’ candidate for Calare Sam Farraway said Labor’s decision is a devastating blow to the Central West.
“Regis Resources jumped through every hoop possible to get the mine approved and consulted with 13 registered Aboriginal parties to understand and address, if necessary, the cultural significance of the site,” Mr Farraway said.
“Minister Plibersek still hasn’t shown the courage to front up to the people of the Central Tablelands to explain her decision. We need the mine to go ahead, not just for the potential of 800 good-paying jobs for Blayney, but also to ensure there is investment confidence in the Central West.”
