The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries has launched an inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes in critical minerals projects across Australia and is seeking written submissions to guide the inquiry's findings.
Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said: 'Critical minerals are vital to the economic development of Australia and the world. They underpin technologies integral to modern communications, manufacturing, transport, energy and defence. They also provide Australia—a country rich in critical minerals—with a key competitive advantage, economically and strategically.'
'Just as important, critical minerals offer significant opportunities for regional development, job creation, and skills growth, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities. A vital factor in delivering benefits that are both economically and socially sustainable is ensuring that critical mineral projects are developed responsibly, with strong community engagement and social licence.'
'Capturing these development opportunities will require co-ordinated policy and effective collaboration across all jurisdictions,' Ms Swanson said.
The Committee welcomes written submissions providing recommendations in response to the terms of reference by Friday, 27 February 2026. Submissions are encouraged from a wide range of stakeholders, including government, peak bodies and mining companies, local communities, Indigenous bodies and academic experts.
