The dirty deal between the Labor-Greens coalition is a dark day for Australia’s mining industry, and a dark day for Australia’s prosperity.
Shadow Minister for Resources, Senator Susan McDonald, and Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources, Jamie Chaffey, slammed the Albanese Labor Government for their disgraceful capitulation to the Greens, selling out our vital resources industry and Australia’s future.
Mr Chaffey said the environmental laws deal was another example of the Albanese Government holding the country to ransom in an attempt to look good on the global stage.
“Mining remains a foundation of the Australian economy,” Mr Chaffey said. “In throwing even more insurmountable challenges at this sector, the Albanese Government is risking an industry that contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to our nation, and continues to be a major employer.
“The industry is the future for many young Australians, as our country continues to provide materials that power Australia, including critical minerals.
“The way to approach the protection of our landscape is not to give in to the Greens, but to consider all the implications and the consequences of these reforms. Not only is this a dark day for mining, but it may leave Australians in the dark.”
Senator McDonald said the deal is an abject failure of the Resources Minister to stand up for Australia’s future prosperity, future jobs, and future investment.
“Despite continued attempts at negotiation, the Government has chosen the easy road to poverty by siding with the Greens, putting at risk a sector that makes up almost 10 per cent of our gross domestic product, and almost 60 per cent of our national exports.
“Under this Government, the next generation – our children, our grandchildren – will have a lower standard of living than we have enjoyed, all because Labor could not resist the allure of caving to the Greens political party.
“When new investment and capital flee to other jurisdictions because of this layering of red tape and regulation, and Australia’s prosperity is irreparably damaged, Australians will have the Labor-Greens coalition to thank.”
Peak resources bodies have been united in their condemnation of the Government’s Bill.
The Minerals Council said that the deal was an “inferior and disappointing outcome which fails to strike the right balance between protecting Australia’s unique environment while enabling responsible and efficient project development”
Australian Energy Producers said “By conceding to the Greens, the Government has chosen more red tape and uncertainty instead of enabling new gas supply. This approach ignores the expert advice of the ACCC and the Australian Energy Market Operator to remove barriers to new supply, undermines investor confidence, and risks higher energy costs for households and businesses. “
