Who’s afraid of an iron ore inquiry?

So Australia should be very wary about going down the path of attempting to restrict iron ore production.

An inquiry into the industry would hopefully clear all the air about these issues. It has been argued that an inquiry would be a waste of Parliament’s time; but it is hard to see how an inquiry into Australia’s largest export is less important than the 66 Senate Inquiries currently underway, including one into the fin-fish aquaculture industry in Tasmania. And the inquiry doesn’t need to be done by Parliament anyway.

It has also been suggested that an inquiry will undermine the view of Australia as a supporter of open markets. However, this wouldn’t be the first time that anti-free trade arguments are raised at an Inquiry. And anyone appearing at the inquiry can refute anyone else’s arguments. We should not be afraid of free speech.

So there appears to be little to be afraid of in an inquiry into iron ore. It should be supported as an opportunity to clear the air.