Critical minerals inquiry in Western Australia

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries will hold a public hearing in Perth as part of its inquiry into factors shaping social licence and economic development outcomes for critical minerals projects across Australia.

On Wednesday, 4 November 2026, the Committee will hear from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA, the Mineral Policy Institute, Cantilever Future Solutions, the WA Government and AMEC, about the economic potential of critical minerals projects and the social licence requirements that underpin them.

Committee Chair, Meryl Swanson, said: ‘There is enormous potential for critical minerals to supercharge the economy, delivering employment and economic growth to the regions and enhancing the sovereign capability of Australian industry. But we must get this right. We must ensure that social and environmental costs are minimised and mitigated, while benefits go to impacted communities and society more broadly. Social licence is critical to ensuring that critical minerals play their part in advancing Australia’s economy and society, and governments, industry and communities all have a role in making that happen.

More information on the inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on making a submission, can be found on the inquiry website. The Committee will travel to other regions across the country in the coming months.

Public hearings

Date: Wednesday, 4 November 2026
Time: 8.30am – 12.50pm (AWST)
Location:Committee Meeting Room 1, Level 2, 2 Parliament Place, West Perth.

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website.

Media inquiries

Rosa Grine, Media Advisor, Office of Meryl Swanson MP
[email protected]
0406 223 537

For background information

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 4500
[email protected]

For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.