A United Voice, a National Body for Prospectors?

[Huego]

National Body for Prospectors?

Gcause (Grant?) has proposed this in the free forum and has even put some thought into it, with specifics to his proposal. Without these it would go 'round and around. After discussion & if agreed, it needs support (volunteers) and commitment from capable forum members to work. Here is the link:

          http://golddetecting.4umer.net/t8080-australia-prospectors-and-miners-association-apma

He suggests a name, the Australia Prospectors and Miners Association (APMA), suggests founding principles, aims, low fees.
It would be to lobby government on member issues. Which Government?
Because this member has experience with dealing with lobbying Govt on other matters with his guidance, this could work. 
He explains an organization is necessary because govts “struggle to understand how to (serve the people) when they have multiple voices shouting at them, each with their own agenda.”

Do we need a national body when dealing with state issues (eg state parks)? Isn't that happening already in VIC & WA (2 major gold producers?)
PMAV have done a great job in Vic and APLA in WA. Do we need a voice in Canberra or is just a body to speak for all prospectors in any state or territory?  Others have suggested state organizations like PMAV should be formed first from which reps can be drawn. Thats slow,

Any new body could learn a lot from the PMAV / APLA and should work closely with its officers. However, they may feel it duplicates or undermines their state efforts!
Perhaps he could raise it here for discussion as well as he is a member here I believe.

Huego   

[IBGold]

  I do believe we NEED an AUSTRALIA WIDE BODY which as Huego suggests should mimic what both PMAV and APLA do for their states in an Australia wide context.

Regards, Ian.

[Doug]

I do believe we NEED an AUSTRALIA WIDE BODY which as Huego suggests should mimic what both PMAV and APLA do for their states in an Australia wide context.

Regards, Ian.

I agree!
How to go about it is the key question!
doug

[Razorback]

A united voice sounds like a great idea in theory but with all the different State prospecting and mining laws in this country I fail to see what a national body could achieve. At the moment groups like the PMAV in Victoria are doing a great job representing Victorian prospectors and small miners. The proposed national fee paying body would just shift some of the finance available to the State bodies to a National body that could not hope to represent prospectors as well as they are now in Victoria and W.A. The most likely result would see funding raised in the states with large numbers of prospectors being used to prop up lobbying in other states. A much better proposal would be to promote the formation of groups like the PMAV in all the other States and Territories. This would ensure that the State groups had local experience and knowledge and would best be able to represent prospectors and small miners in their own areas. Once that is achieved a National Federation could be formed from representatives of each State and Territory to at lease try to get some form of cohesion in laws effecting prospectors. This body could be financed directly by the State bodies and aim to at least get some sort of cross-over legislation between the States in much the same way that we have with drivers licences etc.

[Doug]

A united voice sounds like a great idea in theory but with all the different State prospecting and mining laws in this country I fail to see what a national body could achieve. At the moment groups like the PMAV in Victoria are doing a great job representing Victorian prospectors and small miners. The proposed national fee paying body would just shift some of the finance available to the State bodies to a National body that could not hope to represent prospectors as well as they are now in Victoria and W.A. The most likely result would see funding raised in the states with large numbers of prospectors being used to prop up lobbying in other states. A much better proposal would be to promote the formation of groups like the PMAV in all the other States and Territories. This would ensure that the State groups had local experience and knowledge and would best be able to represent prospectors and small miners in their own areas. Once that is achieved a National Federation could be formed from representatives of each State and Territory to at lease try to get some form of cohesion in laws effecting prospectors. This body could be financed directly by the State bodies and aim to at least get some sort of cross-over legislation between the States in much the same way that we have with drivers licences etc.

I agree with what you say.
" A much better proposal would be to promote the formation of groups like the PMAV in all the other States and Territories."
This to me seems to be the best way to go.
doug

[Huego]

A united voice sounds like a great idea in theory but with all the different State prospecting and mining laws in this country I fail to see what a national body could achieve. At the moment groups like the PMAV in Victoria are doing a great job representing Victorian prospectors and small miners. The proposed national fee paying body would just shift some of the finance available to the State bodies to a National body that could not hope to represent prospectors as well as they are now in Victoria and W.A. The most likely result would see funding raised in the states with large numbers of prospectors being used to prop up lobbying in other states. A much better proposal would be to promote the formation of groups like the PMAV in all the other States and Territories. This would ensure that the State groups had local experience and knowledge and would best be able to represent prospectors and small miners in their own areas. Once that is achieved a National Federation could be formed from representatives of each State and Territory to at lease try to get some form of cohesion in laws effecting prospectors. This body could be financed directly by the State bodies and aim to at least get some sort of cross-over legislation between the States in much the same way that we have with drivers licences etc.

I agree with what you say.
" A much better proposal would be to promote the formation of groups like the PMAV in all the other States and Territories."
This to me seems to be the best way to go.
doug

I agree too, BUT this route (though the most sensible) is probably the most difficult and slow. It needs a handful of champions (dedicated to success!)  Their biggest obstacle will be APATHY - lack of committment & limited skill base. They will need charisma & drive to convince fellow prospectors. The Rita Bentleys are a rare breed!

How would I know? A few years ago I was involved with a prospectors group in trying to influence / lobbying a state govt (NSW) on some prospecting issues.  But the level of feedback & support required (not $ or manual help, rather mental skills) was lacking ..... so it floundered,

Huego

[Huego]

Cooperation:

Combining lobbying forces & resources with other BUSH USER groups is especially beneficial for all, including the rangers & managers of state parks. They in turn influence policy, from the bottom up and get kudos for their direct interaction.

Being in a local bush users group for a few years, attending regular planning meetings (with another PMAV member), we represented the primary interests of prospectors for some years. These mostly were related to ready access to prospecting sites. The 4WDers, trail-bike riders, fishermen & deer shooters and bush walkers were also represented, each with their own interests. We ALL participated in clean up days removing rubbish from the bush, we all expressed what we found intolerable & wanted to change & HOW we could help. This activity is putting your best foot forward. Managers from DSE and Parks Vic also attended each meeting. They appreciated their ability to interact directly with parties affected by track & bridge closures, burn-offs etc. It helped them develop effective new strageies to manage all park users (especially trail bikers). In turn the knowledge we prospectors got from such meetings was reported back to prospectors at PMAV branch meetings (together with any warnings). ALL GOOD!

What was especially useful was the social interaction & mutual respect that such get-togethers provided everyone. We even found we were ALL REASONABLE and could make efforts to see another viewpoint!! We could talk about how the fun habits of 4 WDers & trail bikes made some tracks almost impassable in wetter conditions to others.  As prospectors we were reasonable too, listened and did not accuse or abuse, presenting our case with reason, not passion. We were on good terms with park managers & they helped us with tips on tracks and places to go.

IT CAN WORK! But it does require YOUR involvement!

Huego