Primary Producers SA and two of its commodity group members in Grain Producers SA, and Livestock SA have responded to news that reform to SA’s Mining Act has stalled by again calling for an independent review to be commissioned.
PPSA, GPSA, and Livestock SA could not the support the Mining Bill in its current format and had provided a comprehensive list of amendments to improve the government’s legislation.
PPSA Executive Chairman Rob Kerin said the decision to shelve the Bill comes after both the mining and agricultural sectors had made meaningful progress on the next steps of reform.
PPSA, GPSA and Livestock SA are reiterating their call for an independent review into SA’s mining laws which would, among other things, thoroughly examine best practice land access frameworks in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.
“Grower groups have worked constructively with the Marshall Government, the SA Chamber of Mines and Energy and all other relevant stakeholders to reach a solution which better balances agriculture with competing land uses such as mining to protect the sustainability of agricultural production for future generations,” he said.
“An independent review of SA’s Mining Act is now urgently required, rather than a piecemeal approach to reform.”
GPSA CEO Caroline Rhodes said grower groups were united in their belief that a mining advisory service is also urgently required.
“A mining advisory service would provide free, confidential and independent advice to farmers facing land access issues,” she said.
“This should be established as a priority of government to address a genuine need.”
Speaking on behalf of all producers, Livestock SA CEO Andrew Curtis said the agricultural industry stands ready to work with the mining lobby and the Marshall Government to progress reform.
“We must develop a fair and workable solution to reforming mining laws in South Australia,” he said.
