An important yet highly controversial topic which has emerged during the past few months is the issue of the Northern Gateway Pipeline’s impact on First Nation reserves, as well as the influence of the First Nations’ objections to Enbridge’s project.
This circumstance relates considerably to an industrial “green ban” law enacted in Australia in 1971, which many opposed. The “green ban” prohibited harmful construction projects which would have a negative effect on the country’s environment, producing major downfalls for construction companies and causing them to remain idle for over 4 years.
Both of these debates include an opposing force, the First Nation peoples and Australian construction companies, whose strong opinions fuel the termination of the projects. The First Nations and Australian construction companies are both similar, sharing the common objective of dismantling respective government-related projects as well as disagreement with government actions.
Although largely damaging to the natural environment, the Northern Gateway Pipeline and construction in Australia are significant components of opportunity and growth for their respective countries. Both projects include government consent and involvement as well as consistent support from stakeholders and from the majority of the population. The development of these projects have been and are currently prohibited due to varying attitudes and input from the previously mentioned external factors.
Though both these controversies have arisen in separate centuries, there exists a parallel between the impact of First Nations towards Enbridge’s pipeline project and the influence of construction workers on Australia’s Green Bans. This correlation proves that there is no surefire method of safeguarding businesses entirely from external influences.
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