Natural Resources committee  The question is when consultation starts. In relation to lands that are under claim or for determined native title, consultation starts when somebody applies for an exploration licence. However, there is a thing called the “expedited procedure”, which means that unless the impact

Natural Resources committee  In the regulatory process, there doesn't have to be a reconciliation because the indigenous impact assessment goes to the decision-maker—in the case I mentioned, to the federal minister and the Western Australian minister—alongside the conventional impact assessment. What the de

Natural Resources committee  Quickly, there is a precedent with Sami people in Sweden. They have recently conducted their own impact assessment of a proposed copper mine being developed by Falun. I can provide that reference to the committee. Quickly again, in response to the honourable member's very import

Natural Resources committee  Okay. Sure. In terms of capacity and free, prior and informed consent, this is a chicken and egg issue. Where aboriginal people have powerful regional representative organizations, they use their existing capacity to go to proponents and government and negotiate with them about

Natural Resources committee  Yes. First of all, I should clarify that my work was at Voisey's Bay in Labrador, rather than on the offshore—

Natural Resources committee  —but I think that reinforces the point, because the Innu and the Inuit were able to negotiate one of the strongest impact benefit agreements in Canada mainly because they already had a strong political organization they were able to mobilize. You certainly see that in Australia.

Natural Resources committee  Sorry, which specific...?

Natural Resources committee  Yes.

Natural Resources committee  I'm sorry, but I'm getting a bad echo on the line now. Anyway, I'll keep going. I'd like to begin by perhaps following up on your question about dialogue being a risky business. I think that one issue with conventional impact assessments is exactly that. When indigenous people

Natural Resources committee  Thank you. Just very briefly, good morning from Brisbane and thank you very much for the opportunity to speak to you. By way of background, my research for the last 25 years has focused on the interrelationship between indigenous people and extractive industries. Over that tim

Natural Resources committee  I am indeed in Brisbane.