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Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick has called for a “comprehensive security review” of Chinese-owned CU River Mining’s iron ore mine operations in the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA).
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Senator Patrick's proposed review also calls for an in-depth analysis into the Chinese company's expansion plans, which includes a bulk commodity and port facility at Port Augusta.
"CU River Mining's mine operations need to receive greater scrutiny from a security perspective," Senator Patrick said.
"The interests of CU River Mining, South Australia and Australia would be best served by a prompt review conducted by Australia's national security agencies."
Senator Patrick's calls come after the release of a Defence report into the coexistence of mining and pastoral leases in the WPA and media reports that the company has links back to both the Chinese state and Chinese Communist Party.
CU River Mining's Cairn Hill Mine is located within the WPA, which is expected to host an increasing range of "highly sensitive" aerospace tests and activities.
"The proposed expansion of Chinese owned and controlled mining and logistics operations in close proximity to highly sensitive Australian Defence testing and training facilities must be subject to the most rigorous examination and assessment by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)," Senator Patrick added.
In February, Defence told a Senate estimates hearing that:
"The Woomera Prohibited Area is a unique and significant (sovereign) national security asset for the testing and evaluation of advanced Defence capabilities.
"All access zones in the area will be used at an increased tempo from 2019 to support the introduction into service of new air warfare capabilities such as the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, the EA-18O Growler aircraft and other advanced military systems being introduced under the 2016 Defence White Paper.
"The secure physical and electronic environment of the Woomera Prohibited Area must be maintained to the extent possible for Defence testing purposes, including with our allies and international partners."
