The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries will hold public hearings in Sydney and Dubbo as part of its inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia.

Media release issue date: Friday, 15 May 2026

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries will hold public hearings in Sydney and Dubbo as part of its inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia. On Monday, 18 May 2026 the Committee will hear from a range of stakeholders, including mining and mineral processing companies, local government, academics and unions about the economic potential and social licence requirements of critical minerals projects. On Tuesday, 19 May 2026 the Committee will meet with representatives of local government in western New South Wales to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing communities in the regions, as well as a leading proponent of critical minerals development. Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said: ‘Effective engagement, economic participation, and socially and economically sustainable development are key factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects. The Committee is keen to explore ways to ensure that socially acceptable and economically beneficial outcomes are achieved by the critical minerals sector, for the benefit of mining regions and the nation.’ More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the inquiry website. Public hearings Date: Monday, 18 May 2026 Time: 9.00am – 3.20pm (AEST) Location: Cliftons, Level 13, 60 Margeret Street, Sydney. Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2026 Time: 9.00am – 11.30am (AEST) Location: Jacaranda Room, Dubbo RSL, Corner of Brisbane and Wingewarra Streets, Dubbo. A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website. Media inquiries Rosa Grine, Media Advisor, Office of Meryl Swanson MP Meryl.Swanson.MP@aph.gov.au 0406 223 537 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4500 pic.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries will hold its first public hearing on Thursday, 26 March, as part of its inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 25 March 2026

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries will hold its first public hearing on Thursday, 26 March, as part of its inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia. The Committee will hear from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), whose submission highlights the role of critical minerals within the Australian Government’s $22.7 billion Future Made in Australia Plan (FMA). DISR notes that ‘critical minerals are a cornerstone of the FMA, with critical minerals processing identified as a priority under the National Interest Framework due to its supply chain vulnerabilities’. The DISR submission also highlights the potential growth from increasing raw exports of critical minerals, and the further opportunities in expanding downstream refining and processing. Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said: ‘Critical minerals are a cornerstone of the modern economy—critical to developments in AI, defence and renewable energy. They present enormous opportunities for Australia, but also real challenges. Ensuring the social licence of critical mineral projects will be key to maximising benefits while minimising impacts.’ More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the inquiry website. Public hearing Date: Thursday, 26 March 2026 Time: 9.45am – 11.00am (AEDT) Location: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website. Media inquiries Rosa Grine, Media Advisor, Office of Meryl Swanson MP Meryl.Swanson.MP@aph.gov.au 0406 223 537 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4500 pic.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries is conducting an inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia and is seeking written submissions to guide the inquiry’s findings.

Media release issue date: Friday, 6 March 2026

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries is conducting an inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia and is seeking written submissions to guide the inquiry’s findings. The inquiry has already received over fifty submissions from a range of stakeholders, but the Committee is keen to hear from more individuals and organisations, especially those operating directly in the critical minerals field and communities with an interest in or who are impacted by critical mineral developments. Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said: ‘We have heard from miners, farmers, local governments, community organisations, Indigenous organisations and academics—some highlighting the benefits of critical minerals, others raising concerns about the potential impacts of mining on other industries and communities.’ ‘The Committee is looking to get as comprehensive a picture as possible about how to maximise the benefits of critical minerals to Australia while minimising the impacts. We need to hear from as many interested stakeholders as possible to get the clearest picture of the best way forward,’ Ms Swanson said. The Committee has extended the closing date for written submissions responding to the terms of reference to Tuesday, 31 March 2026. Submissions are encouraged from a wide range of stakeholders, including government, peak bodies and mining companies, local communities, Indigenous bodies and academic experts. More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the inquiry website. Media inquiries Rosa Grine, Media Advisor, Office of Meryl Swanson MP Meryl.Swanson.MP@aph.gov.au 0406 223 537 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4500 pic.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

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.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 16 December 2025

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. More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the inquiry website. Media inquiries Rosa Grine, Media Advisor, Office of Meryl Swanson MP Meryl.Swanson.MP@aph.gov.au 0406 223 537 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4500 pic.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.