Fifth-generation farmer Peter Teasdale has warned that Australia's food bowl could be at risk from the critical minerals boom, after a $13 billion deal between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump raised fears of expedited mining projects. Teasdale's farmland in Rupanyup, Victoria, is being eyed for the 'Donald Project', a rare earth mine set to become Australia's second-largest.
Teasdale expressed disappointment over the deal, saying it could 'wreck our ability to produce food going forward'. He noted that Victorian farmers have worked tirelessly to make soil productive, supplying a quarter of the nation's food. He worries dust from mining could contaminate his crops, including wheat, barley, canola and lentils.
Brett Hosking, president of the Victorian Farmers Federation, said farmers feel 'unheard, voiceless' and like 'collateral' in the discussions. He called for the community to be brought along as partners, with time to address concerns about impacts on agricultural land, increased activity risks, toxic dust, and disruption from traffic and noise.
The deal commits to measures that 'accelerate, streamline, or deregulate permitting timelines and processes'. The government granted Astron Corporation's Donald Project 'major project status', potentially helping it overcome regulatory hurdles. The mining industry celebrated the deal, with Minerals Council of Australia CEO Tania Constable calling it an acknowledgement of Australia's role in global supply chains.
Astron says it acknowledges community concerns and continues to engage with locals, adding that major approvals are already in place. The company says the project will use fully-enclosed wet processing to prevent ore from becoming airborne. However, Mia Pepper of the Conservation Council of WA said the deal signifies a shift from renewable energy mining to defence assets, with 'deregulation' raising deep concerns.
