MEDIA RELEASE  17 July 2013

The Greens NSW spokesperson on mining Jeremy Buckingham today welcomed the Premier’s move to allow landholders legal representation during arbitration processes for land access agreements, but committed to push in Parliament to grant landholders the right to say no to mining and exploration on their land.

“The Premier is tinkering at the edges of this issue. While legal representation should be a no-brainer, landholders should not have to bear the legal costs,” said Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

“Given it is the company that is dragging landholders into an arbitration, it is only fair that these well resourced companies should have to pay for all legal costs. Otherwise the considerable legal costs may force a landholder into an agreement not in their best interest.

“The Greens will continue to push in the Parliament to legislate the right for landholders to say no to mining and exploration on their land – a position supported by 86% of voters,” he said.

Contact: Max Phillips – 9230 2202  or  0419 444 916