Politics & Council

1 January, 2026

Mining inquiry will discuss social licence

MALLEE residents are being encouraged to have their say informed by recent experiences on mining licence approvals in the electorate, after the Commonwealth Government opened a new consultation.

Member for Mallee Anne Webster shared her dismay that, yet again, mining-related consultation would be during the harvest and Christmas season.

“The main critical minerals projects in Mallee have largely been cleared to proceed, so locals would be telling the Commonwealth how consultation could have been done better,” Dr Webster said on Wednesday.

Federal Parliament’s House Standing Committee on Primary Industries last week adopted an inquiry on ‘factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes in critical minerals projects across Australia’ with submissions now open, and closing on February 27.

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