Association of Mining and Exploration Companies chief executive officer Simon Bennison called for the amendment bill to be withdrawn immediately.
“Proposed amendments to the Native Title Act will increase uncertainty and inefficiency and lead to further delays in the native title negotiation process and in the release of mineral titles,” he said.
The bill is before the House of Representatives. Among other things, it extends the time before a party may seek a determination from an arbitrary body to eight months.
Bennison said AMEC was concerned about the limited consultation process to date, as well as the lack of strategy to reduce the number of native title claims still requiring resolution.
“The act is a complex and sensitive piece of legislation and any changes must be carefully and fully considered,” Bennison said.
“Ill-considered and hasty changes to the act will have unintended consequences for Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal people, federal government, state and territory governments and industry.”
According to Bennison, AMEC was pleased the Coalition opposed the bill.
While the group does not support the amendment in its current form, Bennison said it supports the establishment of a “high-level stakeholder consultation process.”
“Despite recommending that the Amendment Bill should be withdrawn, AMEC has been proactive in consistently recommending that the government should establish a high level stakeholder consultation process in order that all of the issues and concerns can be worked through in a collaborative manner,” he said.
