This article is a followup to my previous one regarding AUSAID‘s so called “sustainable mining” program – AUSAID’s neo-colonization agenda extends to “Sustainable Mining”.

Perhaps the most beautiful thing about being right is : BEING RIGHT!

And so I continue criticizing AUSAID’s neocolonial and vampire capitalist exploitation program masked as aid and packaged in the words SUSTAINABLE MINING.

Dear AusAID – what is Sustainable mining?

According to Australian Senator Lee Rhiannon;

“This is a $127 million project that AusAID argues is designed to assist low income countries to wisely develop their natural resources.”

Senator Lee Rhiannon co-founded and spent five years as Director of AID/WATCH which scrutinises Australia’s overseas aid program. She is member of the Senate Estimates Committee of the Australian Parliament.

Senator Rhiannon refers to remarks made made during the one of her Committees Hearings; by AusAID Director Peter Baxtor linking mining interests behind AUSAID’s SUSTAINABLE MINING program. She states:

“Mr Baxter explained that both BHP and Rio Tinto are involved in the project.”

Hello Mr Baxter – just look over the fence and see what those two amigos did in the neighbourhood. Perhaps this explains why AusAID has been so unsuccessful in delivering AID while the GREEDY Miners have been quite successful at profiteering at the expense of the lives of Bougainvilleans and the livelihood of the Fly, Watut and Labu people of Papua New Guinea.

Senator Rhiannon continues;

“Interestingly on the day of Estimates workers at BHP mines in Australia were on strike over safety issues. So I questioned Mr Baxter if AusAID would reassess BHP’s involvement with the Australian Mining for Development Initiative as surely it is not appropriate to involve companies that are under a cloud with their own occupational health and safety programs.”

Geez AUSAID YU SAVE SEM TU O! Maybe you should use the $ 128 million to improve safety at BHP mines in Australia.

Senator Rhiannon then concludes with these chilling remarks;

“…for all the fine words it could well be mining companies that gain the upper hand and exploit low income countries thanks to Australian aid dollars.”

Further Reading:

Lee Rhiannon – Estimate adventures with a cameo Yes Minister appearance