BCSDA calls for practical uplift in how Australia approaches trust and regional value in critical minerals

Sydney, 2 April 2026 - BCSDA has lodged a formal submission to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries inquiry into critical minerals, arguing that social licence should be treated as a project delivery issue and that practical policy improvements available now could strengthen both Australia’s investment climate and outcomes for communities and regions. The submission sets out that social licence should be treated as a core project delivery issue, not addressed only at the level of communications, and that practical policy improvements are available now that would strengthen both Australia's investment climate and the outcomes experienced by communities and regions.

The submission is available on the Committee's website here, submission number 79.

BCSDA's central proposition is that Australia will be better placed to compete in critical minerals if it is known not only for the quality of its resources, but also for the quality of its project governance, community partnership and long-term regional outcomes.

The submission makes seven practical recommendations, covering the quality of community and First Nations engagement, regional value creation, public reporting, closure planning and circular economy integration. A key proposal is that major projects receiving Commonwealth strategic support be required to prepare a Social Licence and Regional Value Statement setting out their approach to engagement, benefit sharing and closure.

BCSDA CEO Andrew Petersen said the submission was not a call for a large new compliance system.

“We are not proposing broad new regulation. We are proposing a practical uplift in the operating disciplines around critical minerals development, especially where projects receive Commonwealth strategic support,” Mr Petersen said.

“Australia’s long-term advantage in critical minerals will depend not only on what we extract, but on how projects are designed, delivered and experienced by communities and regions. Where trust is weak, local benefits are unclear, or cultural and environmental concerns are addressed too late, projects face greater risk of delay, higher costs and weaker long-term outcomes. Better social performance and stronger competitiveness are not competing goals; in a strategically important and highly scrutinised sector, they increasingly go hand in hand.”

The submission notes that government cannot legislate social licence into existence, but can improve the conditions in which trust is built, through earlier and more meaningful engagement, stronger agreement-making and clearer regional benefit commitments. It also recommends that project contribution be assessed through a regional value lens, not just headline job numbers and capital expenditure.

The Committee's inquiry examines the factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia. Further information, including all submissions received, is available on the inquiry website: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Primary_Industries/CriticalMinerals

ENDS

About BCSDA

The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to operationalising sustainable development practices among Australian businesses. BCSDA was established in Australia in 1991 and works with over 70 leading global businesses and other organisations to drive systemic transformation in key sectors, advocating for sustainable leadership and rewarding action through education, partnerships, and policy influence.

In 2014 the organisation was appointed Australia’s Network Partner for World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

BCSDA’s members believe that by integrating social and environmental impacts with financial results, business lowers its risk profile, makes better decisions and creates the solutions needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.

BCSDA’s members include leading Australian businesses, from all sectors, who share a commitment to economic, environmental and social development. It represents member companies, public sector enterprises and institutions, and community organisations, which in turn represent 120,000+ Australian employees. www.bcsda.org.au 

For further information contact: Andrew Petersen, CEO, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, +61 412 545 994