Advisor Found To Have Worked With Coal Mine Proponent

An independent advisor chosen as the peer reviewer for the latest coal mine application in Australia's Hunter Valley, which was recommended to be approved by the New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment on Monday and which threatens nearby Thoroughbred nurseries, including Coolmore Stud, had previously worked with mine proponent Robert Gillespie of Anglo American, according to The Daily Telegraph. Jeffrey Bennett, a longtime professor at the Australian National University who was chosen to impartially evaluate the advice of both Anglo American and the Thoroughbred industry with regards to the Drayton South coal mine, had disclosed his connection with Gillespie prior to being chosen to provide an independent review, but this information was not disclosed to the public. A planning department spokeswoman told The Daily Telegraph, “Jeffrey Bennett has been a longstanding professor at the Australian National University. This role has required him to oversee a considerable number of students and PhD candidates. Prior to commencing his peer review, Professor Bennett disclosed to the department that he had previously taught Robert Gillespie, the author of the original economic assessment that accompanied the EIS. Professor Bennett disclosed that he had previously worked with Robert Gillespie in a professional capacity.”

“The scope of Professor Bennett's peer review did not include any comprehensive assessment of the Economic Assessment undertaken by Gillespie Economics,” she continued. “The peer review related to the economic impacts of the project on the structure and longevity of the Thoroughbred industry, and focused on matters raised by two separate economic consultancy firms as per previous response. The Department was therefore satisfied that Professor Bennett could undertake a thoroughly professional and impartial peer review. Professor Bennett has also previously been appointed as a member of the independent Planning Assessment Commission.”

A source close to Coolmore told The Daily Telegraph, “We are deeply concerned. We will be asking advice review implications of this and options.”