In a symbolic moment, the two leaders inked an agreement concerning rare earth and critical minerals, witnessed by reporters during what U.S. officials referred to as a “bilateral lunch” at the White House cabinet room.

Hosking emphasized the importance of involving the community as a collaborative partner in these initiatives, stressing the need for time to understand and address their concerns fully.

“It confirms Australia’s fundamental role in the global supply chain of the very minerals, materials and rare earths that the world requires,” Constable said in a statement.

‘Stark change’ prompts environmental concerns

“We’re deeply concerned about any move to deregulate when it comes to the environment, because we know that our environmental laws, as they are, are weak and not protecting our environment.”

Sinclair, who has a database of every single critical mineral mine proposal in Australia, said many sites have their approvals but are waiting for capital investment.

Environmental carve-outs ‘deeply concerning’

Greens senator David Shoebridge argues these AUKUS carve-outs show “Labor has form”

“You can only imagine how much pressure there will be from the likes of Gina Reinhart to push through a new national security approvals process for their mining projects so they can get a quick and dirty tick, regardless of the environmental impact.”

Greens senator David Shoebridge argues it would not be the first time that Labor seeks environmental exemptions to get a major project through. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

While the current loophole is nuclear-specific, it sets a precedent for similar national interest exemptions.

The WA government says the State Development Bill will enhance productivity, giving the premier powers to “accelerate and oversee regulatory processes”.

China has a near-monopoly on extracting and refining rare earths, the process of separating them from other minerals. Source: SBS News

Pepper said this greenlights exemptions from dozens of pieces of legislation, “removing requirements for companies to meet our laws”.

“Our laws exist for a reason. They’re a safeguard and a protection. And there’s new ways that governments are seeking to bypass existing laws, and that’s deeply concerning,”

she said.

Is there a pathway forward?

Galirum is a byproduct of bauxite mining, with the rare mineral serving as a component in LED lighting and defence technologies.