Really good question. Our relationship with some/most is brilliant, but the COA criticed the Commissioner of Lands for excluding others from the agreement. Some think this easily fixed by doing a deal with them and we'll be back on track in a few weeks. This appears to be the company line.
Others, including me, wonder whether there are deeper issues of tribal/clan politics, the conversion of customary land (native title) and process for the SI govt to sort. The SMM / dissident landholder media release was bolshie, as though spoiling for a fight over those people and clans being ignored. If this is the case, AVQ may have to be patient for much more than a few weeks for it to be sorted.
One thing is fairly clear after reading the COA ruling. It's not simply about AVQ vs SMM. I thought it was and was wrong. The complexities of the issues that the ruling deals with caused the delay, which we didn't expect, and gave an outcome we didn't expect.
AVQ Price at posting:
38.0¢ Sentiment: Hold Disclosure: Held
