❓ A parliamentary question regarding the performance of the resource sector in WA under the current government. The Minister's response highlights positive performance and contrasts it with perceived negativity from the opposition.
AnsweredQoN 618Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
RESOURCE SECTOR —
PERFORMANCE
618. MR S.J. PRICE to the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to providing confidence to WA's
resource sector and supporting the industry in driving economic growth and
creating jobs.
(1) Can the minister update the
house on how the sector is performing under this government?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house if he is aware of anyone who does not share this
commitment to supporting the resource sector and is instead talking down the
industry?
PERFORMANCE
618. MR S.J. PRICE to the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to providing confidence to WA's
resource sector and supporting the industry in driving economic growth and
creating jobs.
(1) Can the minister update the
house on how the sector is performing under this government?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house if he is aware of anyone who does not share this
commitment to supporting the resource sector and is instead talking down the
industry?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
am very pleased to answer that question from a member who formerly worked in
the resource sector, making him almost unique in the chamber.
What I can say, member, is that the
record of the resource sector since the change of government is outstanding. It
had its best year ever in 2017. Exploration in 2018 is up and up. Do not just
take my word for it. Let us have a look at The West Australian . On
Thursday of last week, at page 47, in an article headed ''Exploration
hits 30-year high'', it states —
� WA explorers spent more money
looking for the precious metal in the June quarter than at any other time in
the past 30 years.
Underneath that is an article headed ''Argentina
tax to help WA miners''. It states that Credit Suisse has said —
''This tax highlights the risk
of operating in South America versus the � mining mecca in the tier-1 mining
jurisdiction of WA,'' �
It goes on to say —
''This announcement is an
endorsement of the lower risk-profile of the hardrock miners.''
Another article is headed ''Malaysians
find an interest in WA oil and gas''. Turn the page, and there is an article
headed ''Positive bottom lines for listed companies''. Next to
that is an article headed ''Market is gradually turning: builder''.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister, I gave you permission to use
the paper but I did not give you permission to read the whole paper.
Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : The article states —
The partners behind mid-tier
builder Construct360 say the recovery in the resources sector and an upturn in
� infrastructure � are helping the construction market �
Another article is headed ''WA
junior explorer looking for golden launch''. There is also a very
fetching photograph of the opening of the Altura mine in the Pilbara.
Outstanding, members!
But it is interesting that
unfortunately there is some negativity, and that comes from the opposition. The
opposition is disappointed that the state is going so well and that the mining
sector is having its best period in the history of the state. Here we have the
Leader of the Opposition writing in the magazine WA Works from the
Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He says —
Of particular concern is the
Government's handling of WA's prized mining sector.
It is interesting that in the same
magazine, the cover of which is headed ''Pilbara Pickup: New Iron Ore
Mines on a Roll'', under ''Resources'' is ''Iron
ore jobs boom'', ''Bunbury charged by Albemarle project''
and ''Giant leap for WA lithium'', and under ''Infrastructure''
is ''Top grade for northern link''. There is good news everywhere
in this state for the resource sector, except from that side of the chamber.
am very pleased to answer that question from a member who formerly worked in
the resource sector, making him almost unique in the chamber.
What I can say, member, is that the
record of the resource sector since the change of government is outstanding. It
had its best year ever in 2017. Exploration in 2018 is up and up. Do not just
take my word for it. Let us have a look at The West Australian . On
Thursday of last week, at page 47, in an article headed ''Exploration
hits 30-year high'', it states —
� WA explorers spent more money
looking for the precious metal in the June quarter than at any other time in
the past 30 years.
Underneath that is an article headed ''Argentina
tax to help WA miners''. It states that Credit Suisse has said —
''This tax highlights the risk
of operating in South America versus the � mining mecca in the tier-1 mining
jurisdiction of WA,'' �
It goes on to say —
''This announcement is an
endorsement of the lower risk-profile of the hardrock miners.''
Another article is headed ''Malaysians
find an interest in WA oil and gas''. Turn the page, and there is an article
headed ''Positive bottom lines for listed companies''. Next to
that is an article headed ''Market is gradually turning: builder''.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister, I gave you permission to use
the paper but I did not give you permission to read the whole paper.
Mr W.J. JOHNSTON : The article states —
The partners behind mid-tier
builder Construct360 say the recovery in the resources sector and an upturn in
� infrastructure � are helping the construction market �
Another article is headed ''WA
junior explorer looking for golden launch''. There is also a very
fetching photograph of the opening of the Altura mine in the Pilbara.
Outstanding, members!
But it is interesting that
unfortunately there is some negativity, and that comes from the opposition. The
opposition is disappointed that the state is going so well and that the mining
sector is having its best period in the history of the state. Here we have the
Leader of the Opposition writing in the magazine WA Works from the
Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He says —
Of particular concern is the
Government's handling of WA's prized mining sector.
It is interesting that in the same
magazine, the cover of which is headed ''Pilbara Pickup: New Iron Ore
Mines on a Roll'', under ''Resources'' is ''Iron
ore jobs boom'', ''Bunbury charged by Albemarle project''
and ''Giant leap for WA lithium'', and under ''Infrastructure''
is ''Top grade for northern link''. There is good news everywhere
in this state for the resource sector, except from that side of the chamber.
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