Expert silence questioned
Concern has been raised about the integrity of NSW inquiry into mining health impacts.
The chair of a parliamentary inquiry examining the health impacts of metal mining in New South Wales has expressed concerns over the integrity of the investigation due to the exclusion of “highly relevant” witnesses.
The inquiry, which focuses on the effects of gold, silver, lead, and zinc mining on human health and the environment, began in September and aimed to shed light on mining's impact on resources like rainwater and clean air.
Amanda Cohn, a Greens MLC and the inquiry chair, has expressed her unease about the omission of occupational health experts without any stated reasons.
“Their expertise and research was critical to inform the work of the inquiry, and I don't anticipate that we'll be able to report with any integrity on this subject without considering their testimonies,” she said.
The committee, composed of members from different political parties, recently voted against hearing from proposed expert witnesses and rejected the extension of hearing days.
However, reports say committee members who voted against the chair's intended witnesses did not provide interviews explaining their decisions.
Parliamentary committees have the authority to object to witnesses as they see fit, but these decisions often hinge on political considerations more than principles.
Despite concerns about the inquiry's integrity, a final hearing is scheduled, with health experts like Jeremy McAnulty from NSW Health, clinical toxicologist Andrew Dawson, and Thanjira Jiranantakan from NSW Health's Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs set to provide their insights. The inquiry has already highlighted the damaging impact of mining on the environment and public health.