The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries will hold a public hearing in Perth as part of its inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia.
On Wednesday, 4 November 2026, the Committee will hear from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA, the Mineral Policy Institute, Cantilever Future Solutions, the WA Government and AMEC, about the economic potential of critical minerals projects and the social licence requirements that underpin them.
Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said: ‘There is enormous potential for critical minerals to supercharge the economy, delivering employment and economic growth to the regions and enhancing the sovereign capability of Australian industry. But we must get this right. We must ensure that social and environmental costs are minimised and mitigated, while benefits go to impacted communities and society more broadly. Social licence is critical to ensuring that critical minerals play their part in advancing Australia’s economy and society, and governments, industry and communities all have a role in making that happen.
