Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, has appointed Australia’s first female Minister for Resources.
Madeleine King has been appointed Minister for Resources and the Minister for Northern Australia.
The strong representation of women in the front bench – the most ever – is a significant milestone for Australia, with ten women in cabinet, 13 in the ministry and 19 frontbenchers.
The Mineral Council of Australia (MCA) welcomes Ms King’s appointment and looks forward to working with her to ensure Australian mining remains internationally competitive to deliver for the nation in terms of exports, regional jobs and government revenue.
Ensuring the sector remains internationally competitive will require sound policy across a range of portfolios, and the MCA looks forward to working with the new Federal Government and key portfolio ministers.
A strong minerals sector is not only important for Australia’s post-COVID recovery, it will help to sustain and improve the lives of millions around the world, providing the critical raw materials necessary for modern and emerging economies to flourish in a decarbonised future.
Australian mining is a major and growing contributor to jobs, investment and communities, and has kept Australia’s economy and the communities in which it operates strong during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The industry pays the highest on average wages, the most company tax, delivers the most export revenue and is critical to supporting regions and communities, including providing 1.1 million jobs in the mining, mining equipment, technology and services sector.
Resources export revenue reached a new record high of $351 billion in 2021 and 68 per cent of total Australian export revenue.
There was also a surge in mineral exploration activity in Australia in 2021 with exploration expenditure totalling $3.6 billion, up 28 per cent from the previous year.
QRC welcomes Madeleine King’s appointment
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has also welcomed the appointment of Madeleine King to the position of Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia.
QRC Chief Executive, Ian Macfarlane, said Ms King’s background as a West Australian MP would be an asset, given her home state and Queensland are both powerhouse resources states for Australia.
“The Minister knows first-hand how important a high-performing, highly competitive resources sector is to the Australian economy and will have a deep understanding of the employment and business opportunities that flow on from that for the wider community,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“She will also understand how essential the ongoing strength of the resources sector is to Australia’s future, as we navigate the COVID recovery phase and the challenge of addressing emissions reductions.
“The QRC looks forward to welcoming the Minister to Queensland as soon as possible, and to working with her on key policy issues such as improving access to skilled workers, attracting new investment across Australia’s diverse commodity range and how the resources sector can support Australia’s energy security.”
Mr Macfarlane also praised former Resources and Water Minister Keith Pitt for being a highly effective, accessible and well-respected leader of the resources portfolio.
“Keith Pitt did an outstanding job as Resources Minister and was very committed to promoting Queensland’s resources sector at every opportunity,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“He steered the portfolio through the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic and took a practical approach to ensuring the sector continued to operate safely and to the benefit of all Australians, even during uncertain times.
“I know I speak on behalf of Queensland’s resources industry to wish Keith well in Opposition and in his role as the member for Hinkler.”
AMEC congratulates new cabinet
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) welcomed Mr Albanese’s announcement of the new Federal Cabinet.
Chief Executive Officer of AMEC, Warren Pearce, said AMEC looks forward to building on a strong relationship with the incoming Federal Government to grow the Australian mining and mineral exploration industry.
“The appointment of Madeleine King as Minister for Resources and for Northern Australia, ensures that the industry that kept the Australian economy afloat during the global pandemic will have a strong voice in the new Cabinet,” Mr Pearce said.
“Minister King has held the Resources portfolio in Opposition and understands the importance of our industry in creating jobs and growth, but also the vital role in producing the minerals needed for decarbonisation and a clean energy transition.
“Congratulations to Linda Burney, the new Minister for Indigenous Australians, on her appointment as the first Aboriginal woman to sit in the Commonwealth Cabinet and hold a Ministry.
“AMEC also welcomes the appointment of Tanya Plibersek to the important Environment and Water portfolios. We hope she can deliver the much-needed reforms that will unlock greater economic growth.
“The continuation of Chris Bowen in the Climate Change and Energy portfolios is positive for our sector. Australia’s rich endowment of critical minerals are a key enabler of technology led solutions.
“The new Albanese Ministry promises fresh eyes to boosting Australian international competitiveness, revitalising the reform agenda and driving greater mining and mineral exploration investment.”
