From the Secretariat

DR ELIZABETH GIBSON, General Manager of the CMPA.

A meeting was held with the Hon Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy and Resources on Wednesday 15 February 2023 in Melbourne attended by CMPA’s Jason Comben, Chairperson; Ron Kerr, Hon CEO (via MS Teams); Dr Elizabeth Gibson, General Manager; and Jane Burton, Head Resources, DEECA and Jack Buksh, Minister’s Adviser.

This was the first meeting with the Minister since the State election but obviously CMPA had met with the Minister when she previously had the portfolio in 2014-16 and introduced the risk based work plan legislation (which CMPA did not support unlike all the other resources industry associations).

A very positive meeting was held on the first two topics:

Infringement Notices for Extractive Industries Annual Report/Royalty Returns

Reference was made to a letter sent to the Minister regarding Earth Resources Regulation (ERR) issuing of 500 infringement notices to extractive industry Work Authority holders for late submission of Annual Reports / Royalty Returns.

It was explained that the forced (but not legislated) requirement for electronic entry via the Resource Rights Allocation and Management system (RRAM) online portal, coupled with the change in reporting requirements in recent years led to disarray.

The general consensus is that Members have been subject to harsh and unfair treatment by ERR. It was pointed out that Members were not being recalcitrant. It was agreed that RRAM is not fit-for-purpose at the meeting.

CMPA Review of Rehabilitation and Bond Framework for Quarries in Victoria

Concern was raised that the Victorian Government is taking an unnecessarily conservative approach to work authority rehabilitation bonds when there is no evidence of need.

The total sum for work authority rehabilitation bonds has increased by approximately 10 % in the last 12 months to $106 million. This is expected to grow exponentially with ERR in the process of revisiting rehabilitation bonds leading to massive increases (1000% and higher) for work plan variations.

For ERR to state that this is a risk-based process for selection to have rehabilitation bonds reviewed does not negate the disproportionate competitive advantage for those that have not had their bonds reviewed. As communicated at the meeting, the Minister’s subsequent correspondence stated that ERR would be pleased to do a comprehensive “page turn” on the CMPA document with CMPA to ensure that any suggestions/ feedback is appropriately considered and incorporated.

Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 reform

At the conclusion of the meeting the Minister affirmed that the MRSDA reform was to be progressed.

Whilst CMPA does not support the reform, unlike all the other resources industry associations the CMPA will work with Government to achieve social, economic and environmental beneficial outcomes for the industry and the State of Victoria.

Annual Dinner

It is with great pleasure to announce that the Minister will attend the CMPA Annual Dinner.

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