Kate Chaney (Curtin, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

The Northern Jarrah Forest is one of WA's most precious landscapes. It supports threatened species and significant waterways and holds deep cultural significance for Aboriginal communities. Its economic, cultural, social and environmental value cannot be overstated. Alcoa has mined bauxite here for more than 60 years, but recent developments deserve scrutiny. The government's announcement that Alcoa will pay $55 million for habitat clearing between 2019 and 2025 may sound significant, but it equates to just $27,000 per hectare, well below comparable undertakings for similar harm. Equally concerning is that no remediation order was imposed, despite findings that Alcoa unlawfully destroyed protected habitat over years. When I met with Minister Watt last week, I did not receive a clear explanation for this omission. At the same time, the government granted Alcoa a national interest exemption from federal environmental laws allowing clearing for a further 18 months. Historically, this power has only been used for emergency safety works or urgent species protection, not commercial considerations, and this sets a troubling precedent. We've seen too often in WA how legacy mining approvals fail to keep pace with modern environmental standards. The reality is that jarrah ecosystems have never been successfully rehabilitated after mining. I urge the government to take a rigorous, transparent approach to the strategic assessment process. Before any approvals are granted, we must show that Alcoa's operations can be properly prevented— (Time expired)

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