The Tasmanian Minerals Council, like most Tasmanians and particularly the people in Tasmania’s North West, are very pleased that Minister Burke has moved to finalise the National Heritage listing. This takes away one more element of uncertainty and will certainly provide a positive incentive to the Global investors the State is looking to attract to the State’s mining industry.
We are aware that the Minister has been lobbied far and wide and has waded his way through a plethora of information from some very vested interests. This process has been afoot for several years and has been a continual source of distraction and uncertainty.
The TMC believes that the Minister has adopted a very pragmatic approach and has clearly understood the issues currently facing Tasmania and particularly the North West as he has considered his decision on the listing. Clearly, protecting the intrinsic and unique archaeological and cultural Tasmanian Aboriginal heritage which has been identified in the North West is not arguable. The minister has quite rightly addressed the absolutely unique value of this heritage and moved to protect it, but has at the same time pragmatically balanced it with the current and future economic value of this region.
Minister Burke has weighed and balanced the issues facing Tasmanian families, workers and businesses in the North West TODAY. He has taken advice from the Sid Sidebottom and other sitting Federal and State members from both sides of both Houses. We are very aware of the support these members have given the mining industry and the people in this region. Minister Burke has taken advice from the Premier, the Minister for Resources and senior members of his department, and has no doubt heard from all of the members of the opposition. The AWU has strongly supported and lobbied the Minister on behalf of all workers – whether they be members or not – in a State where the unemployment rate is touching 9%. The Minister has listened – and hats off to him.
The minister has determined that the “blanket” listing demanded by the greens et al is neither appropriate nor sensible. There are current laws and approvals and monitoring processes are absolutely sufficient to protect the areas which have been licensed for exploration and mining.
This is a very pragmatic and sensible approach by Minister Burke – entirely cognisant of the issues we all face today. It’s timely and pragmatic and reduces a major point of doubt and will certainly encourage the investors who have been “fence sitting” for the past few years. The TMC recognises and acknowledges the strong support that MHR Sidebottom, Premier Giddings and Minister Green, and all of the other State and Federal members of “most” persuasions have given to the industry and the people of the region.
Wayne Bould, President, Tasmanian Minerals Council
