OPPOSITION UNVEILS PRACTICAL REFORMS TO UNLOCK INVESTMENT
Media Release | 5 November 2025
Basil Zempilas
Leader of the Opposition
Neil Thomson
Shadow Minister Aboriginal Affairs
Peter Rundle
Shadow Minister Water
Lachlan Hunter
Shadow Minister Mines, Petroleum & Exploration
The Liberal-National Opposition has unveiled new reforms to cut approval delays, improve Aboriginal heritage consultation and unlock investment across regional Western Australia.
Speaking at a Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) breakfast today, Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas announced plans for a permanent Aboriginal Knowledge Holder Register and a new Regional Water Access initiative under a future Liberal-National Government.
Mr Zempilas said the reforms would provide greater certainty for industry, strengthen engagement with Traditional Owners and remove unnecessary barriers to major projects.
“Western Australia has some of the richest mineral resources in the world, but we cannot afford to let red tape, regulatory duplication and approval delays undermine our competitive advantage,” he said.
“Our resources sector supports tens of thousands of jobs, sustains regional communities and generates the revenue that funds our hospitals, schools and essential services.
“Protecting Aboriginal heritage and supporting responsible development are not competing priorities. We can and must do both.”
Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Neil Thomson said a permanent Knowledge Holder Register would bring much-needed clarity and certainty to Aboriginal heritage consultation.
“Traditional Owners deserve meaningful engagement, and industry needs certainty about who has the cultural authority to speak for Country,” he said.
“A permanent register will help remove confusion, reduce disputes and ensure the right people are involved in decisions that affect Aboriginal cultural heritage.
“This is a practical reform that recognises the importance of protecting heritage while providing a clearer, more predictable process for everyone.”
Shadow Minister for Mines, Petroleum and Exploration Lachlan Hunter said WA’s regulatory framework needed to support investment rather than stand in its way.
“The next generation of resources investment is not guaranteed, and Western Australia cannot afford to lose major projects to jurisdictions with faster, more efficient approvals,” he said.
“The latest Fraser Institute survey ranks WA third in the world for mineral potential, but just thirteenth for government policy.
“That should be a wake-up call for the Cook Government. Our resources are world-class, but unnecessary complexity and regulatory delays are putting our competitive advantage at risk.”
Shadow Minister for Water Peter Rundle said the Regional Water Access initiative would help address longstanding barriers to development, particularly in the Pilbara.
“Access to water is critical for mining, pastoralism, housing, infrastructure and the future growth of regional communities, yet navigating the current approvals system can be unnecessarily complex and time-consuming,” he said.
“We will use existing powers under the Coordinator General’s Office to bring the relevant agencies together, cut through bottlenecks and deliver a more coordinated approach to water licensing and land access.”
Mr Zempilas said the reforms demonstrated the Opposition’s commitment to practical solutions that would restore investor confidence.
“Western Australia should be leading the world in resources investment, not allowing unnecessary bureaucracy to hold us back.
“A Liberal-National Government will focus on protecting what matters, removing obstacles to investment and getting WA moving again.”
Mr Zempilas also reaffirmed the Opposition’s commitment to overturn Labor’s ban on new uranium mining projects.
“Labor’s ideological ban on uranium mining is locking Western Australia out of significant investment opportunities and regional jobs at a time of growing global demand,” he said.
“We will lift that ban and allow uranium projects to be assessed on their merits, subject to appropriate environmental and safety standards.”
