FROM THE CMPA SECRETARIAT (Issue 63)
Inquiry into Greenfields – Final Report to Parliament
BRUCE McCLURE, General Manager of the CMPA reports on the recently presented report to State Parliament on Greenfields Mineral Exploration and Project Development in Victoria.
ON the 30th January 2012 four members of the CMPA attended a Parliamentary Inquiry into Greenfields Mineral Exploration and Project Development in Victoria which was set up by the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee (EDIC) from the Victorian Parliament. The CMPA had been invited to appear before the committee to express the members’ observations and experiences on issues relating to the inquiry.
The final report of that committee was presented to the Parliament of Victoria on the 22nd May 2012.
The main thrust of this inquiry as stated in the final report was to examine why Victoria has fallen behind other Australian and international jurisdictions in developing its natural endowments for the benefit of its people.
Also stated in the report was the comment that one of the key recommendations of the Final Report is for the Victorian Government to adopt a ‘one‐stop‐shop’ for the exploration, mining and extractive industries in Victoria. This will require a whole‐of‐government commitment to the resources sector and for this position to be communicated widely to the sector and crucially, the Victorian community.
The Inquiry also found that new and improved research partnerships between government, universities and industry would assist to develop capacity in the Victorian resources sector.
The report produced by EDIC is a comprehensive report examining all aspects of greenfields minerals and extractives exploration in Victoria. The Committee met with and took evidence from eighty witnesses representing forty four organisations, travelled to South Australia to take evidence and also conducted site visits at two mineral exploration and mining operations in regional Victoria.
A total of twenty five recommendations have been made in the final report. It is considered that seventeen of the recommendations made by the committee need to be strongly supported by the CMPA. Although not all of these recommendations appear at first glance to be relevant to the extractive industries, they do impact on our members and the government needs to be encouraged to consider these recommendations as applicable to both the extractive industries and the mining sector.
The CMPA will obviously follow up with the Minister for Energy and Resources and will endeavor to impress on the government the significance of many of the recommendations for the economic future of Victoria.
This report is worth reading and can be found on the following website:
www.parliament.vic.gov.au/edic
It covers in considerable detail the status of the extractive industry in Victoria. Perhaps one disappointing aspect of the report is that there were not more recommendations made that would have resulted in a better outcome for the extractive industries.
Despite many hours of evidence given by witnesses and numerous submissions presented, there has been very little recommended to Parliament that will result in major changes to the extractive industries. In many respects it may be an opportunity lost.
ANNUAL DINNER 2012 AT THE RACV CLUB, HEALESVILLE
The CMPA 2012 Annual Dinner at the RACV Club in Healesville is now only weeks away. With the Secretariat now applying the finishing touches to what will be an enjoyable weekend for all members and their guests.
It will be a great night to catch up with old friends, network with fellow members and meet new people with the same interests. You will be wined, dined and entertained with beautiful music. Get your caricature drawn or win a prize at the public auction.
Don’t forget the extra activities planned for members across the weekend as well; including golf, breakfast or visit the Healesville Sanctuary, Yarra Valley Railway or The Big Bouquet. Don’t miss out on a fun filled weekend.
RSVP for this event closes on Friday 10th August 2012.
Date: Sat. 25th August 2012
Location: RACV Club – Healesville
Time: 6.00pm for AGM, 6.30pm for Dinner
Cost: CMPA Members $120
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