Mining lawyers reject federal resources takeover

retort for sale south africaCalls for a federal takeover of state responsibilities for mining leases have been denounced as unworkable by leading mining lawyers.

They said plans unveiled by federal independent Tony Windsor for federal legislation to override state control of mining leases would require a referendum in order to be valid. Perth mining lawyer Michael Blakiston said such a call for constitutional change would almost certainly fail because of opposition from the states. "It is fundamental to the states that they control the mining industry," Mr Blakiston said. "For the federal government to try to exert influence like that -- the states would find that fundamentally flawed." Mr Windsor, with the backing of fellow independent Rob Oakeshott, wants extra federal power over minerals in order to...