❓ Dr. Honey raises concerns about a decline in mining exploration permit applications and slow processing times. The Minister acknowledges the issue, highlights government support for the mining industry, and points to initiatives like Resources Online and the federal production tax credit.
AnsweredQoN 865Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, MINES, INDUSTRY REGULATION AND
SAFETY — EXPLORATION INDUSTRY — PROGRAM OF WORK APPROVALS
865. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to an article in the The
West Australian 's business news, reporting that there has been a 31
per cent reduction in applications by mining companies for program of work
permits, which are a critical early-stage activity for mineral exploration. Further, the report states that only 53 per cent of
permit assessments had been dealt with inside the 15-business day
target.
(1) Why are we seeing such a precipitous
decline in program of work applications?
(2) What is the
minister's government doing to ensure that this decline in applications
does not lead to a downturn in mining activity in the future?
SAFETY — EXPLORATION INDUSTRY — PROGRAM OF WORK APPROVALS
865. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to an article in the The
West Australian 's business news, reporting that there has been a 31
per cent reduction in applications by mining companies for program of work
permits, which are a critical early-stage activity for mineral exploration. Further, the report states that only 53 per cent of
permit assessments had been dealt with inside the 15-business day
target.
(1) Why are we seeing such a precipitous
decline in program of work applications?
(2) What is the
minister's government doing to ensure that this decline in applications
does not lead to a downturn in mining activity in the future?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I saw the article as well. I thank the
member. This government supports our mining industry. We are a state that is open for mining. We have worked really hard to look at our approval
system. I will not go through the great work that the Minister for Environment
is doing on the approval process system and on cleaning up the Environmental
Protection Authority's processes to keep it as strong and efficient as
we possibly can for the environment. My department has been turning around
those POWs a lot faster over the last few months. I have made announcements in
the house regarding those programs of work. We know that the price of some of our critical minerals is
quite low at the moment, especially for nickel and lithium. That is why
it is important that all members in this place get behind the legislation for a
production tax credit that was tabled in the federal Parliament. We can make
sure that we make things in Australia again.
We saw comments overnight from the
Liberal and National Parties over east talking about the production tax credit just
to buy votes in Western Australia. The shameful comments from the National and
Liberal Parties in Canberra show that they
do not support the mining industry in a couple of the big states, especially in Western Australia.
We
will continue to look at approval reform. Later this week, the department will
roll out Resources Online, which will be a major efficiency lift for
miners and explorers. They will be able to put in their documents and get them
turned around incredibly quickly. I thank the industry for helping us with the
commissioning of that new system, which will go online later this week. This
government supports the mining industry, as opposed to the Liberal and National
Parties in the eastern states.
member. This government supports our mining industry. We are a state that is open for mining. We have worked really hard to look at our approval
system. I will not go through the great work that the Minister for Environment
is doing on the approval process system and on cleaning up the Environmental
Protection Authority's processes to keep it as strong and efficient as
we possibly can for the environment. My department has been turning around
those POWs a lot faster over the last few months. I have made announcements in
the house regarding those programs of work. We know that the price of some of our critical minerals is
quite low at the moment, especially for nickel and lithium. That is why
it is important that all members in this place get behind the legislation for a
production tax credit that was tabled in the federal Parliament. We can make
sure that we make things in Australia again.
We saw comments overnight from the
Liberal and National Parties over east talking about the production tax credit just
to buy votes in Western Australia. The shameful comments from the National and
Liberal Parties in Canberra show that they
do not support the mining industry in a couple of the big states, especially in Western Australia.
We
will continue to look at approval reform. Later this week, the department will
roll out Resources Online, which will be a major efficiency lift for
miners and explorers. They will be able to put in their documents and get them
turned around incredibly quickly. I thank the industry for helping us with the
commissioning of that new system, which will go online later this week. This
government supports the mining industry, as opposed to the Liberal and National
Parties in the eastern states.
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