❓ Question regarding the Cook Labor government's efforts to strengthen WA's economic security and create future jobs, answered by highlighting a US$8.5 billion deal involving a WA gallium project and urging support for the State Development Bill.
AnsweredQoN 534Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Gallium investment
534. Ms Ali Kent to the Premier:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to diversifying the Western Australian economy so
that it remains the strongest in the nation. Can the Premier advise how the
government—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Sorry, member. Leader of the Opposition
and minister, please do not have private conversations across the chamber.
Start again, please member.
Ms Ali Kent: Can the Premier advise how the work of
this government is helping to create the jobs of the future by strengthening
Western Australia's economic security?
534. Ms Ali Kent to the Premier:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to diversifying the Western Australian economy so
that it remains the strongest in the nation. Can the Premier advise how the
government—
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Sorry, member. Leader of the Opposition
and minister, please do not have private conversations across the chamber.
Start again, please member.
Ms Ali Kent: Can the Premier advise how the work of
this government is helping to create the jobs of the future by strengthening
Western Australia's economic security?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for the question, but before I begin, Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, I would
like to welcome the Governor's Sparks of the Future participants in the gallery
today. Congratulations to the six students from Merriwa and Clarkson Primary
Schools and Dianella Primary College for being selected to participate in the program
this year. I hope you enjoyed your meeting with the member for Mindarie earlier
today.
Once again, Western
Australia is at the centre of the universe. We are integral to the world's
energy transition. We are integral to AUKUS, one of the biggest defence pacts
in history and, as the world learnt overnight, we are integral to securing the world's
critical mineral supply chains. That was the tone of the meeting between Prime
Minister Anthony Albanese and the President of the United States overnight. It
was the subject of a US$8.5 billion deal signed between Australia and the US in
recent hours. The deal is a vindication of the WA Labor government's work over
many years to diversify our economy, create jobs for future generations and
become a global leader in critical minerals mining, processing and
manufacturing. Under the deal, a local Western Australian project has been
earmarked as the first cab off the rank. The Alcoa–Sojitz Gallium
project in Wagerup for the recovery of the rare earth gallium will receive
investment. It is a three-way project between Japan, the United States and
Australia, which is aimed at strengthening our economic security. Gallium is
used in semiconductors, electric vehicles, strong magnets and more. It is an
essential ingredient to many advanced, groundbreaking technologies and my
government will work closely with Alcoa and Sojitz to ensure that it meets the
high environmental standards expected of it, from both the government and the
WA community because, if successful, this project will supply around 10% of
global gallium supplies.
As I said, Western
Australia is at the centre of the universe. We have worked hard to attract jobs
and industry to ingrain ourselves in vital supply chains and the results are
showing. The energy transition, AUKUS, critical minerals, rare earths—the
strongest economy in the nation. Even space junk is choosing to land in Western
Australia!
Although the
announcement from Washington DC overnight generates renewed momentum in WA, it
has been a concerted effort over many years. I want to thank the Prime Minister
and our federal Minister for Resources, Madeleine King, for their roles in that
and for working with WA in the broader national interests. It is a reminder to
all elected members that we are here representing team WA. It is a reminder to
members opposite that a constructive approach can be helpful, that they do not
have to oppose and obfuscate policies that will advance our state's interests.
That is why I urge all members of the Legislative Council to recognise the importance
of legislation like the State Development Bill,
which is now before their house and to work with government to accelerate its passage
through the Council.
for the question, but before I begin, Mr Speaker, with your indulgence, I would
like to welcome the Governor's Sparks of the Future participants in the gallery
today. Congratulations to the six students from Merriwa and Clarkson Primary
Schools and Dianella Primary College for being selected to participate in the program
this year. I hope you enjoyed your meeting with the member for Mindarie earlier
today.
Once again, Western
Australia is at the centre of the universe. We are integral to the world's
energy transition. We are integral to AUKUS, one of the biggest defence pacts
in history and, as the world learnt overnight, we are integral to securing the world's
critical mineral supply chains. That was the tone of the meeting between Prime
Minister Anthony Albanese and the President of the United States overnight. It
was the subject of a US$8.5 billion deal signed between Australia and the US in
recent hours. The deal is a vindication of the WA Labor government's work over
many years to diversify our economy, create jobs for future generations and
become a global leader in critical minerals mining, processing and
manufacturing. Under the deal, a local Western Australian project has been
earmarked as the first cab off the rank. The Alcoa–Sojitz Gallium
project in Wagerup for the recovery of the rare earth gallium will receive
investment. It is a three-way project between Japan, the United States and
Australia, which is aimed at strengthening our economic security. Gallium is
used in semiconductors, electric vehicles, strong magnets and more. It is an
essential ingredient to many advanced, groundbreaking technologies and my
government will work closely with Alcoa and Sojitz to ensure that it meets the
high environmental standards expected of it, from both the government and the
WA community because, if successful, this project will supply around 10% of
global gallium supplies.
As I said, Western
Australia is at the centre of the universe. We have worked hard to attract jobs
and industry to ingrain ourselves in vital supply chains and the results are
showing. The energy transition, AUKUS, critical minerals, rare earths—the
strongest economy in the nation. Even space junk is choosing to land in Western
Australia!
Although the
announcement from Washington DC overnight generates renewed momentum in WA, it
has been a concerted effort over many years. I want to thank the Prime Minister
and our federal Minister for Resources, Madeleine King, for their roles in that
and for working with WA in the broader national interests. It is a reminder to
all elected members that we are here representing team WA. It is a reminder to
members opposite that a constructive approach can be helpful, that they do not
have to oppose and obfuscate policies that will advance our state's interests.
That is why I urge all members of the Legislative Council to recognise the importance
of legislation like the State Development Bill,
which is now before their house and to work with government to accelerate its passage
through the Council.
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