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Article

25 Oct 2008

Author:
Jewel Topsfield, The Age [Australia]

The quiet avenger

...Oxfam Australia's mining ombudsman, Shanta Martin [said] "It's really not good enough that Australian companies don't respect human rights or uphold the highest environmental standards abroad as they would be required to do in Australia"...Oxfam established the mining ombudsman's office in 2000, after repeatedly hearing complaints from local communities about Australian mining companies operating in developing countries...After investigating complaints, Martin...raises community concerns with the mining companies. If they fail to respond, Oxfam publishes reports that aim to "name and shame" shonky companies and in some cases put pressure on investors to withdraw their support…[She] says Oxfam Australia has repeatedly lobbied the Federal Government to establish an independent complaints mechanism with real powers. [refers to Lafayette Mining, Emperor Mines and Intrepid Mines]