The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries will hold public hearings in Brisbane and Mackay as part of its inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia.
On Monday, 28 September 2026 the Committee will hear from a range of stakeholders, including academics, engagement professionals, mining and mineral processing companies, and government, about the social licence requirements and economic potential of critical minerals projects.
On Tuesday, 19 September 2026 the Committee will meet with representatives of the Greater Whitsunday Alliance and Isaac Regional Council to explore the opportunities for critical minerals development in a region shaped by mining, as well as the challenges facing local communities in those regions.
Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said: 'There are tremendous opportunities for mining regions to leverage their existing resources and expertise to take advantage of the critical minerals boom. Areas like Gladstone, Mackay and Townsville have the people, expertise and infrastructure to take these opportunities to another level in processing and manufacturing of critical minerals. The Committee is keen to see how these opportunities might be progressed while ensuring that the benefits and costs are distributed fairly.'
