Government relations
Our engagement with government is guided by our statement of business practice, The way we work.
We do not, directly or indirectly, participate in party politics nor make payments to political parties or individual politicians.
We communicate views to governments and others on matters affecting our business interests and those of shareholders, employees and others involved in our activities.
Where there is an appropriate opportunity to do so, we participate in the development of policy and legislation that is relevant and appropriate to our business interests. This direct engagement includes formal submissions, face to face meetings, briefings, hosted tours of our operations and formal correspondence.
We also interact with governments in their capacity as consent authorities for our activities. Before the government gives approval for a project to proceed, it undergoes rigorous assessment processes that identify environmental, social and economic issues associated with the project. Approval is only granted if impacts can be managed within acceptable levels, taking into account the need to balance environmental, social and economic outcomes.
2010 activity
During the year we considered proposed policy and legislation and responded to key issues such as land use and regional planning, social impacts and housing, taxation and investment security, the regulatory approvals process and climate change.
Our advocacy to government generally occurs in four main areas which represent some of the key strategic challenges for our business:
- Certainty of land access - through planning that considers the needs of all land users and providing a consistent and timely approvals process for major projects
- Investment security - by delivering an investment environment that is attractive and internationally competitive
- Regional planning and delivery of services - by developing and implementing regional plans to streamline investment and the delivery of services as well as effectively respond to growth in a region
- Building a sustainable coal industry - by developing a consistent national approach to climate policy, energy management and delivery of low emission technologies.