Australia’s minerals industry has backed the new Morrison Ministry’s focus on creating jobs, responsible economic management and delivering strong budget surpluses.
The reappointment of many Ministers is a welcome sign of stability and shows that the government is getting on with the job of growing Australia, strengthening regional communities and supporting our world-leading minerals industry.
In particular, we congratulate Senator Matt Canavan on his reappointment as Minister for Resources and Northern Australia. MCA has worked closely with Minister Canavan in developing the Coalition’s Resources Statement, which will strengthen Australia’s future through enhanced skills and investment, promotion of our national resources brand and boosting exploration.
Minister Canavan has already made a significant contribution to the resources sector and understands that Australian mining needs competitive investment settings, faster approvals, flexible workplaces and less duplication in environmental law to deliver more jobs for our regions.
We also look forward to continuing to work with Minister Angus Taylor in his ongoing role as Minister for Energy and new portfolio of Emissions Reduction. Business is already working to help deliver Australia’s commitments in the Paris Agreement through practical action on sites including energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewable energy.
Affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is central to Australian business and households and MCA looks forward to working with Minister Taylor to deliver pragmatic policies that reduce power prices and emissions.
As one of the country’s largest private sector employers of Indigenous Australians, MCA welcomes Ken Wyatt’s appointment as the first Indigenous Australian to represent the first Australians in the Cabinet. Australia’s minerals industry has a long-standing focus on Indigenous empowerment and invests substantially in training and education to increase employment opportunities for Indigenous people in regional and remote communities.
In delivering on its policies for resources, skills, environment and a stronger economy, the new government’s success should be measured by whether its initiatives create jobs, strengthen regional communities and promote growth.
MCA will also continue to press for long-overdue reforms in policy areas such as workplace relations, environmental reform and reducing red tape so Australia stays in front of its global competitors.
