26 C
Byron Shire
March 28, 2024

Aid money used to support Australian mining interests in Africa

Latest News

Where should affordable housing go in Tweed Shire?

Should affordable and social housing in the Tweed Shire be tucked away in a few discreet corners? Perhaps it should be on the block next to where you live?

Other News

A seasoned bard

Guy Kachel had an idyllic entry to the world of music. Born in Tamworth, he was raised on the banks of the Peel River. The landscape was a fertile ground for his imagination. Seeing this rustic world change, as Tamworth developed into an inland city and friends grew to sometimes troubled adulthoods, provided insights for the artistry that later powered his career as a performer.

State of confusion

If any of you watched Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, you would know that it was a...

Biz confidence up, says Business NSW

The state's peak body for business says confidence in the sector has increased but cost of living pressures continue to impact customer spending.

Bruns-Billinudgel RSL marches on

Though recently the membership of the Brunswick Heads–Billinudgel RSL sub-Branch has grown, the numbers are still very low and if there is not a continual increase, this chapter faces closing.

Superbowls

Superbowls is your go-to spot for a burst of woodfired flavour! Nestled in Byron Arts and Industry Estate, the...

Breakfeast, Bluesfest weekend

Victoria Cosford Oh to be a cow with a four-chambered stomach system! Farmers’ market, Bluesfest long weekend, a spot of...

Striking mine workers outside South Africa’s Anglo American mine on October 5. AID/WATCH has called on the Australian government to stop supporting programs for African mining companies. AFP Photo / Stephane de Sakutin

AID/WATCH in coordination with the Minerals Policy Institute yesterday released a letter calling on the government to stop using Australian aid funds to support the expansion of Australian mining interests overseas. Money from the aid program is being used to fund Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs for mining companies who are members of the Australian Africa Mining Industry Group.

‘It is not the place of the Australian aid program to fund the corporate social responsibility programs of Australian mining companies that have a moral, if not legal, obligation to behave in a responsible manner,’ said AID/WATCH co-director Liz Barrett.

A pilot project has been established that provides funds through the Development Assistance Program allocating $30,000 of funding for Australian mining companies to run CSR programs and promote sustainability. At least one of the companies receiving funding, Paladin, have been implicated in a range of labour and environmental abuses at their operations in Africa, and also accused of corruption.

‘To say that this funding encourages corporate and social responsibility and sustainability in the mining industry is a complete joke,’ said Ms Barrett.

‘Companies that have been implicated in corruption and abuses are able to continue with these practices unheeded, receiving funds from the Australian aid program and the perceived credibility that Australian aid funding brings. This is little more than a corporate whitewashing exercise funded through the aid program,’ she continued.

International NGOs have signed on to the letter which also expresses concern about the partnership between AusAID and AAMIG to promote sustainability initiatives, given the chairman of the AAMIG, Bill Turner, has also previously been implicated in human rights abuses.

Turner was the CEO of Anvil Mining when Anvil was implicated in grave human rights abuses in the Congo, including the massacre of over 100 civilians, torture and looting after providing material assistance to the Congolese army.

‘AID/WATCH believes that AAMIG totally lacks any credibility as an organisation promoting ethical corporate behaviour while Bill Turner continues to be the chair, and questions why AusAID have decided to partner with them in these pilot projects,’ said Ms Barrett.

Charles Roache, executive director of the Mineral Policy institute added, ‘rather than fund the corporate social responsibility of Australian mining companies, all aid funding should be directed to local communities and independent civil society organisations’.


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Making Lismore Showground accessible to everyone

The Lismore Showground isn’t just a critical local community asset that plays host to a number of major events each year, but has also been used as an evacuation centre during past natural disasters in the region. 

Iconic Lennox beach shed upgraded –  not demolished

Lennox Park and the shelter shed has now been upgraded and reopened.

Govt cost-shifting ‘erodes financially sustainable local government’

Byron Shire Council looks set to add its voice to the growing chorus calling on the state government to stop shifting responsibilities and costs onto local government.

Saddle Road group home DA decision this week

Plans to build Byron Shire’s first permanent group home for women and children in housing stress are moving ahead, with the development application for the project coming before Council this week.