October 14, 2024
Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor’s reasons for cancelling the Blayney Gold Mine are becoming “increasingly odd”.
It comes after revelations Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek blocked the $1 billion Gold Mine after an Indigenous artist used her own paintings to argue the project should be scrapped.
The artist’s submissions opposing the project, made to the New South Government, were based on paintings she did herself.
These paintings reportedly led to the Minister making a heritage protection declaration.
A Wiradjuri traditional owner has told The Daily Telegraph it is “really concerning” the paintings were used to block the mine, as this sets a new precedent and industry should be really, really concerned.
“Labor is clutching at straws for cancelling a $1 billion gold mine,” Mr Littleproud said.
“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 and instead opted for paintings made by the same person opposing the mine, in her decision to take away the future of Blayney.
“The Minister has also 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 Local Aboriginal 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 also cited a mural at Bathurst post office as proof of the blue-banded bee dreaming story and a central reason to stop the Blayney gold mine.
“It’s as though Tanya Plibersek has given the same weighting of a modern painted mural to that of one painted on cave walls thousands of years ago, it’s simply bizarre.
“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.
Our priorities are building stronger regional economies and secure communities, delivering opportunity and prosperity for all regional Australians, and ensuring a sustainable environment.
Stronger, more secure, sustainable local communities that provide the opportunity for everyone to prosper will deliver a stronger, more secure and sustainable nation.
The Nationals commitment to the national interest does not stop there. The Nationals provide a considered and common sense perspective on all elements of Government policy and a balance between Australia’s political extremes.
