A new round of grants to boost Western Australia’s mining exploration investment was announced today by Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore during the opening of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies’ (AMEC) Convention 2012.
This was announced in a media release today which also stated that more than $27 million in grants for exploration drilling projects had been allocated since 2009 and that by 2016 this State Government will have provided more than $138 million to explorers as part of the program.
Robin Chapple MLC, Greens WA spokesperson for the Mining and Pastoral region had this to say about today’s announcement.
“I am truly incredulous at the constant allocations of funds being funneled into the pockets of those already at the very top of the super-rich pyramid. It’s an inequity of the highest order.
The Royalties for Regions Scheme should be taking from the exploitative, extractive industries and supporting true regional development. We should be funding future industries, affordable housing and community infrastructure that will ensure sustainability beyond this limited mining boom economy. Why are we using these precious funds to further facilitate unsustainable mining practices?
This Government is simply funding a future sustainability crisis for Western Australia. In basic terms these industries survive on the premise that you can steal energy from the past and ecological capacity from the future. It’s obvious that we are already struggling as a state to provide affordable housing, energy infrastructure, good public transport options, community and health services, let alone take care of our fragile environment in the regions, so how on earth can we justify this expenditure?”
For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255
