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ADVOCACY IN 2007:
MAXIMISING OUR STAKEHOLDER VOICE
Presentation to The AusIMM Board, Friday, 9th February 2007,
By Monika Sarder, Senior Policy and Research Coordinator, Bulletin Editor
2007 – A Hot Year
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2007 Election year
Mining is underpinning our current prosperity
-$90.5 billion in 2005-06 (up 32%)
-record investment of $34.9 billion in minerals and
energy projects
Competing with other sectors for Government attention
Arguments that mining is an ‘old’ industry without a future ie
‘resources curse’
The AusIMM position: mining is a high tech industry which
enables a large number of niche support and technology
services.
Can continue to deliver benefits
Contingent on right policy settings
Pre-Budget Submission gone to major stakeholders, NPC
Succinct statement for major parties
Keep putting message in the media
Windows of Opportunity
Education
-HESA Review – Review of Cluster Funding Arrangements
-“There have been recent suggestions..that current clusters and cluster
rates do not reflect current discipline cost relativities..”
OHS
-OHS Regulation: PM has written to the States urging an overhaul of OHS
and criminal liability for mine managers
-Prefers system that: “would ensure that safety responsibilities are
apportioned to all parties (organisations or individuals) to the extent that
they have control and influence over the operation of the mine".
Uranium
-Government has sought to engage public and stakeholders in broad
discussion of logistics and consequences of expanding uranium activity.
-Opportunity to Lobby ALP National Policy Committee
-Nationally consistent principles to inform approvals process is desirable
Exploration - Flow Through Shares
-It’s now or never
Climate Change
•Climate change science: more facts, less emotion
•Emissions Trading Task Force Inquiry
•Carbon Price
–Should not adversely affect our competitiveness
–Only justifiable if it encourages R,D&D of low
emissions technologies (eg geosequestration)
–Must be complimented by positive incentives
–Must be appropriate protection for trade exposed
energy intensive industries
Water
-Mining is a low user by percentage, high user by catchment.
-Highly visible, traditionally focal point for grass roots activism
-National Water Initiative
-Water Trading:
Government more to pricing to reflect impending scarcity and costs of
infrastructure.
Mining is high value added. Backlash where farmers are affected.
-Water accounting
Transparency of water use for mining National Water Initiative
May be challenging for some mines
-Security of entitlement, support for research, rewards for efficiency
-The AusIMM Water Policy – Proactive about putting forward a set of
principles for sustainable water management
-Role of technology and industry
Materials Stewardship
-Government is keen to see a ‘materials stewardship’
mindset adopted – also supported by the MCA
-Mining is a big industry/ a high tech industry/
an industry that deals with the earth’s resources
-As producers of critical commodities for society with a
stewardship role we have the capacity to be part of the
solution
- Linked into ethics and professionalism
-Continually highlight best practices and examples of
innovation.
Other Key Issues
R&D:
Audit of grants and opportunities for collaboration
Attraction and Retention:
Issues of work-life balance and flexibility. Tax
deductibility of carer arrangements.
Pre Competitive Geoscientific Data
Find out what is being done and promote support
for these areas.
Member Engagement
•Key to legitimacy
•Communications media to build a community of
expertise and interest
•WIR
•Web Upgrade
•Discussion Forum
•Bulletin