❓ Mr Marmion asks the Premier to consider extending the exploration incentives scheme for small mining companies. The Premier focuses on supporting struggling retail, hospitality, and tourism sectors, highlighting the strength of the mining industry and the importance of consumer confidence.
AnsweredQoN 185Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
SMALL MINING COMPANIES
185. Mr
W.R. MARMION to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Would the Premier consider putting on the table the possibility of extending
the exploration incentives scheme, because that scheme operates in remote areas
and provides an economic stimulus to the industry?
SMALL MINING COMPANIES
185. Mr
W.R. MARMION to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Would the Premier consider putting on the table the possibility of extending
the exploration incentives scheme, because that scheme operates in remote areas
and provides an economic stimulus to the industry?
AnswerView source ↗
The Treasurer just raised a good
point that should have occurred to me. The commodity prices generally have not
declined—iron ore, gold and some of the others.
Mr W.R. Marmion interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Nedlands! You had your go.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I am unaware
of any significant declines in commodity prices. The businesses I am more
concerned about are retailers, hospitality, cafes, hotels and tourism. They are
the ones that I am far more worried about at this point. We are very grateful
that our mining industry has remained strong during this period. Yesterday, the
option of cutting us off from the eastern states was suggested by the
opposition. I want to tell members that I have been contacted by major mining
companies that say they will have to close down mines if that idea—the
opposition's idea—is implemented.
Mrs L.M. Harvey : It was the
Chief Health Officer's idea.
Mr M. McGOWAN : No, it was
not. It was not the Chief Health Officer's idea. Opposition members
need to be very careful about what they say.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members! I have
not called anyone to order yet.
Mr
M. McGOWAN : Yesterday, I had a conversation
with one of the most senior mining executives in the world who was very
concerned about that concept, because it would mean that major mining
operations in Western Australia would have to close. If we lose those, we will
be in a lot of trouble. We need to keep our mining industry strong, and our
mining industry is strong. Commodity prices—surprisingly to many—have
stayed very high. Our iron ore price has stayed very high. Our Chinese
customers and customers around the world have remained engaged and are
purchasing. That has been a good thing for the state. Where the real issue has
manifested is in consumer confidence. As I learnt today, the consumer section,
if you like, or the domestic section of the Western Australian economy is about
42 per cent of the economy. That part of the economy is currently suffering.
Any relief the government provides will be very much directed at that section
of the economy—the small and medium-sized enterprises that are
currently suffering.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr M. McGOWAN : Obviously, we need to continue our
analysis so that we do not put effort into areas that may not need it. We do not have an unlimited amount of
money. Bankrupting the state of Western Australia will not solve the
problem. We need to have very careful analysis and consideration of what we do.
What we did on Monday was very much directed at consumer confidence—payroll
tax relief and fees and charges relief, and supporting low-income people to
improve their spending capacity. It was very much directed at consumer
confidence. That, I think, at this point in time, is the area we need to
concentrate on most.
The SPEAKER : That is the end
of question time.
point that should have occurred to me. The commodity prices generally have not
declined—iron ore, gold and some of the others.
Mr W.R. Marmion interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Nedlands! You had your go.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I am unaware
of any significant declines in commodity prices. The businesses I am more
concerned about are retailers, hospitality, cafes, hotels and tourism. They are
the ones that I am far more worried about at this point. We are very grateful
that our mining industry has remained strong during this period. Yesterday, the
option of cutting us off from the eastern states was suggested by the
opposition. I want to tell members that I have been contacted by major mining
companies that say they will have to close down mines if that idea—the
opposition's idea—is implemented.
Mrs L.M. Harvey : It was the
Chief Health Officer's idea.
Mr M. McGOWAN : No, it was
not. It was not the Chief Health Officer's idea. Opposition members
need to be very careful about what they say.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members! I have
not called anyone to order yet.
Mr
M. McGOWAN : Yesterday, I had a conversation
with one of the most senior mining executives in the world who was very
concerned about that concept, because it would mean that major mining
operations in Western Australia would have to close. If we lose those, we will
be in a lot of trouble. We need to keep our mining industry strong, and our
mining industry is strong. Commodity prices—surprisingly to many—have
stayed very high. Our iron ore price has stayed very high. Our Chinese
customers and customers around the world have remained engaged and are
purchasing. That has been a good thing for the state. Where the real issue has
manifested is in consumer confidence. As I learnt today, the consumer section,
if you like, or the domestic section of the Western Australian economy is about
42 per cent of the economy. That part of the economy is currently suffering.
Any relief the government provides will be very much directed at that section
of the economy—the small and medium-sized enterprises that are
currently suffering.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr M. McGOWAN : Obviously, we need to continue our
analysis so that we do not put effort into areas that may not need it. We do not have an unlimited amount of
money. Bankrupting the state of Western Australia will not solve the
problem. We need to have very careful analysis and consideration of what we do.
What we did on Monday was very much directed at consumer confidence—payroll
tax relief and fees and charges relief, and supporting low-income people to
improve their spending capacity. It was very much directed at consumer
confidence. That, I think, at this point in time, is the area we need to
concentrate on most.
The SPEAKER : That is the end
of question time.
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