Some time ago, a Minister of State accused us of running a ‘campaign of misinformation’ designed to ‘shut down all exploration for coal and gas resources’ in Victoria.

The claims were made by Michael O’Brien, the Minister for Resources and Energy, in response to our report on Reforming Mining Law in Victoria.

Some time ago, a Minister of State accused us of running a ‘campaign of misinformation’ designed to ‘shut down all exploration for coal and gas resources’ in Victoria.

The claims were made by Michael O’Brien, the Minister for Resources and Energy, in response to our report on Reforming Mining Law in Victoria.

You can read them for yourself in this article in The Age.

As you might imagine, we’re a bit disappointed with these claims, particularly since many of the issues raised in our report have now been picked up in the report of the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee of the Victorian Parliament.

We’ve penned a response to the Minister to set the record straight.  You can read the text of it below.

We hope to meet with the Minister and discuss these matters further in future.

31 May 2012

The Hon Michael O’Brien MP
Minister for Energy and Resources
Level 22, 1 Spring St
Melbourne VIC 3000

Dear Minister O’Brien

Mining Law Reform Report

Thankyou for the letter we received from Sarah Leslie, your Senior Advisor, dated 17 May 2012. 

We are surprised to hear that Sarah believes “the claims in the report are incorrect.”  We have based our report on many months of meticulous legal research, and made every effort to ensure that our report is accurate.

We are of course very willing to correct any errors in the report.  If you or Sarah would like to point out any particular claims which you believe to be incorrect, we would be very happy to check them.

We are disappointed to hear that Sarah believes the report is part of a “broader campaign of misinformation by the EDO to shut down all exploration for coal and gas resources in the state.” 

We take every precaution to ensure that the claims we make are accurate.  If there are any particular examples of ‘misinformation’ or inaccuracy that you are aware of, we are very happy to re-examine them.

We do not want to shut down all coal and gas exploration in Victoria.  We do, however, want to ensure that coal and gas extraction does not harm key environmental assets, and puts the health and safety of Victorians first.

Unfortunately, our analysis suggests that Victoria’s mining laws do not do that.  Our experience tells us that Victoria does not have “rigorous environmental regulations.”  That is why we are advocating for their reform.

We would very much like the opportunity to meet with you to discuss these matters further in person. 

Please don’t hesitate to contact either one of us on the details below to arrange a meeting.

Yours sincerely

Nicola Rivers
Law Reform Director
Michael Power
Law Reform Lawyer