Publications
Discovery 23: 18 November 2011
18/11/11
Welcome to the latest edition of Discovery, providing a fortnightly update on CME’s activities and events.
Articles in this edition:
Water Policy Submission
Greens Native Title Amendment
Mid West Tour
CME Media Tour
Parthenium Weed Found in the Pilbara
Underground Mine Emergency Response Competition
WA Media Awards
New Members
Upcoming Events
WATER POLICY SUBMISSION
On 11 November CME lodged a submission in response to the Department of Water’s (DoW) discussion paper on the ‘first-in first-served’ policy. The DoW has proposed that alternative water allocation systems might need to be used where water resources become more fully allocated. The discussion paper identifies a number of options, including ballots, but focuses on a potential auctioning arrangement.
CME’s submission called for water allocation policy to be considered in the broader context of the National Water Initiative and Western Australia’s water legislative reform agenda. Members of CME’s Water Issues Group will continue to engage with DoW and other stakeholders. CME Members interested in participating in this group or receiving a copy of the submission can contact CME.
Contact: Jessica Martin
Email: j.martin@cmewa.com
GREENS NATIVE TITLE AMENDMENT
On 9 November 2011, the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee tabled its report on the Native Title Amendment (Reform) Bill 2011. The Committee does not support the Bill and considers there has been a lack of consultation in almost every provision of the Bill. The Committee noted serious reservations about the introduction of legislation which seeks to make amendments in a piecemeal manner.
In addition to the Committee’s report, Coalition Senators added further comment, noting the changes will likely result in a significant shift in the balance of the Act in favour of native title holders and claimants. The Greens Senators will continue to consult on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People section but recommends the Bill be passed after revision. CME will continue to monitor the Bill.
Contact: Brent Fleeton
Email: b.fleeton@cmewa.com
MID WEST TOUR
CME hosted members of the Western Australian Labor Party for a familiarization tour of resource projects in the Mid West. The tour provided an informative look at the rapidly expanding region. Tour participants were joined by local contacts for dinner in Geraldton.
CME would like to thank Sinosteel Midwest, Gindalbie Metals, Oakajee Port and Rail and Crosslands Resources for hosting site tours.
Contact: Joanne Webber
Email: j.webber@cmewa.com
CME MEDIA TOUR
CME’s Annual Media Tour saw seven journalists travel to the Pilbara to get a firsthand look at the projects and developments in the region. The group included representatives of Australian Financial Review, WAToday, The West Australian, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, The Kalgoorlie Miner and The Sunday Telegraph. The annual tour provides a great opportunity for journalists to gain a deeper understanding of the resource sector and the challenges companies may be facing.
CME would like to thank host companies Fortescue Metals Group, the Port Hedland Port Authority, Woodside Energy, Rio Tinto and CITIC Pacific for their involvement.
Contact: Joanne Webber
Email: j.webber@cmewa.com
PARTHENIUM WEED FOUND IN THE PILBARA
An invasive species of Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) has been discovered 60 kilometres from Karratha. Parthenium weed is one of Australia’s 20 Weeds of National Significance and is regarded one of the worst weeds in Australia due to its invasive nature and detrimental environmental and economic impacts. Members in the Pilbara region are urged to be on the look-out for the Parthenium weed and pay close attention to property and equipment hygiene as Parthenium weed seeds are spread very easily by vehicles and machinery.
Any suspect weeds should be reported to the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Pest and Disease Information Service on 1800 084 881. For more information on identifying and controlling Parthenium weed visit: http://agspsrv95.agric.wa.gov.au/dps/version02/01_plantview.asp?page=6&contentID=47&
Contact: Kane Moyle
Email: k.moyle@cmewa.com
UNDERGROUND MINE EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMPETITION
AngloGold Ashanti’s Sunrise Dam Gold Mine Rescue team were the outstanding winners of the 2011 Underground Mine Emergency Response Competition. This year’s event was held at KCGM’s Mt Charlotte operations in the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. St Barbara’s Barry Arber was honoured with the fire, ambulance and emergency services medal for his dedication to mine rescue. Mr Arber received the special award during the presentation night.
Competition results can be found at www.cmewa.com.
Contact: Linda Crook
Email: l.crook@cmewa.com
WA MEDIA AWARDS
CME was pleased to sponsor the Best Business, Economic or Finance Report category in the 2011 Western Australia Media Awards. Damian Callachor, CME Director presented the award to Jonathan Barrett and Peter Kerr of the Australian Financial Review (AFR). The award was given for their detailed examination of the collapse of Pankaj Oswal's business empire. CME hopes to continue to support the awards in coming years.
Contact: Joanne Webber
Email: j.webber@cmewa.com
NEW MEMBER
CME is pleased to welcome the following new members:
Extend Technologies
Extend Technologies, an NTT DATA company, is a leading provider of SAP solutions and services for medium and large organisations in the public and private sectors. They enable customers to solve their complex business challenges through innovative, value-adding, and proven deployments of SAP and complementary solutions.
www.extendtechnologies.com.au
Contact: Richard Allen, Senior Account Manager
Phone: 08 6430 3702
Email: richard_allen@extendtec.com.au
Michael Megaw Consulting
Michael has spent twenty years as a senior adviser and, over the last ten years as Chief of Staff, to government Ministers at both Federal and State level. His strategic consultancy offers services in Strategic Planning, Stakeholder Relations, Government Relations, Project Team Development and Negotiations.
Contact: Michael Megaw, Principal
Phone: 0417 992 402
Email: megaw@iinet.net.au
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mid West Member Sundowner – 28 November
CME will be hosting a sundowner in Geraldton for members and industry stakeholders in the Mid West region. Invitations have been distributed, if you would like to attend but have not received an invitation please contact CME.
CME Annual Media Sundowner – 30 November
An opportunity for media and public affairs representatives of CME member companies to join media representatives to reflect on the achievements of the resource sector in 2011. Invitations have been distributed, if you would like to attend but have not received an invitation please contact CME.
Eastern Region Member Sundowner – 1 December
CME will be hosting a sundowner in Kalgoorlie at the Hannans Club. Invitations will be distributed in the coming weeks.
CME Christmas Celebration – 6 December
CME invites members and friends of the industry to join us to celebrate the festive season. Full details above.
Invitations have been distributed, if you would like to attend but have not received an invitation please contact CME.
Land Access Committee Sundowner – 13 December
The Hon Peter Collier MLC, Minister for Energy; Training and Workforce Development; Indigenous Affairs will address the Land Access Committee. Interested CME members are welcome to attend.
Please visit the CME Events page for full details on these activities, and a listing of other industry events. http://cmewa.com.au/News,_Events_and_Media/Events
Contact: Jasmin Slingsby
Email: j.slingsby@cmewa.com