Senator Susan McDonald
Shadow Minister for Resources
Shadow Minister for Northern Australia
Senator for Queensland
Senator Andrew Bragg
Shadow Minister for the Environment
Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness
Senator for New South Wales
Jamie Chaffey MP
Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources
Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Development. Local Government & Territories
Federal Member for Parkes
Joint statement
15 October 2026
MCPHILLAMYS DECISION A WIN FOR COMMON SENSE, BUT LABOR STILL TO BLAME FOR UNDERMINING INVESTMENT CONFIDENCE
Shadow Minister for Resources, Senator Susan McDonald: “The overturn of Tanya Plibersek’s ideological section 10 decision on Regis Resources’ McPhillamys project is a major win for the Blayney community, the local workforce, and common sense.
“Tanya Plibersek’s decision was not based in fact, and instead was made with ‘material deficiency in the process,’ and ‘without authority’, as Justice Stellios found.
“Tanya Plibersek and Murray Watt should apologise to the workers of Regis for causing this unnecessary delay and distress through this flawed process.
“What has been made clear through this process is that the Albanese Labor Government did not act in the interests of the workers of the McPhillamys project, nor the Blayney community, or the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council.
“The Albanese Government made this decision based solely on activist pressure, and in fact supported the cause of environmental lawfare through Ministerial discretion.
“This decision is a welcome one for Regis, and a welcome step in attempting to correct the repeated damage Labor has done to Australia’s standing as a secure, reliable destination for mining investment.”
Shadow Minister for the Environment, Senator Andrew Bragg: “The Federal Court has taken a positive step towards developing the proposed McPhillamy gold mine. If Murray Watt is really pro-jobs and development, he can now demonstrate his commitment and follow through on this important project.
“Murray Watt and the Albanese Government are now the only people standing in the way of McPhillamys. This is a project that will deliver jobs, investment and opportunity for western New South Wales.
“Australia needs clear rules and timely decisions that protect the environment while allowing essential projects to proceed.”
Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources, Jamie Chaffey: “It is great to see that this project will finally go ahead.
“The community will see 600-700 jobs in construction and 260 direct operational jobs once construction is complete and the mine starts operation.
“What a shot in the arm this will be for Blayney and surrounding communities.”
ENDS