Greasing the Wheels

needed to the directive to provide greater confidence amongst the community that
these types of gifts and benefits are not unduly influencing government decisions.
Discussion
The cases covered in this report reveal systematic issues with governance and
decision-making on mining in Queensland, which raise substantial community concern.
The report showcases mining companies providing substantial political donations and
contributions, gaining far-reaching access to all levels of government and bestowing
substantial gifts and benefits, whilst individuals switch between government and the
mining industry with disturbing regularity.
At the same time, under the Newman Government, key mining companies gained
significant legislative outcomes in their favour and experienced inadequate or delayed
scrutiny of their opaque company structures and history of environmental
management. In a number of cases, these favourable outcomes have continued under
the ALP Government, despite pre-election promises to the contrary
There have been no substantial changes to decision making processes on mining in
Queensland, which means that concerns about these issues continue under the
current government, and are likely to continue under future governments. Certainly,
under the current ALP Government increased levels of political access by the mining
industry are raising on-going community concerns. For example, publicly available
records show the Palaszczuk government met 145 times with the mining industry in
their first year of government, with Resources and Mines Minister Anthony Lynham
accounting for a staggering 87 of these meetings.
Many meetings, including through advisors and departmental staff, are not publicly
available and therefore the full influence of the mining industry on the current
government is hard to ascertain. Through Queensland Government department gifts
registers we can see, however, that the influence of the mining industry continues
under the Palaszczuk government at a ministerial level and at a departmental level.
The perceived systemic failings of governance in relation to the mining industry in Qld
is leading to mining projects being approved that have adverse impacts on local
communities and the environment, including damaging water resources, reducing air
quality and harming other industries.
Greasing the Wheels 43