The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) congratulates Premier Roger Cook on his Government's re-election at yesterday's State Election.
During his time as both State Development Minister and Premier, Mr Cook has demonstrated an appreciation for the immense contribution of the WA resources sector, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing industry.
CME Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Tomkinson said WA Labor's election victory came at a pivotal time in the State's history and it was vital the returned Government quickly set to work delivering on its plans.
"Premier Cook has outlined an ambitious vision to expand the State's mining and manufacturing bases and produce more goods - including batteries, wind turbines and transmission lines - here in WA," Ms Tomkinson said.
"Key to realising those goals is a rapid acceleration in WA's energy transition to deliver electricity that is low-emission, reliable and internationally cost-competitive.
"It will also require much greater access to well-located, development-ready industrial land and an ongoing focus on sharply reducing project assessment timeframes while maintaining our high standards of protection."
WA Labor made a range of election commitments in line with CME advocacy, including:
- No new taxes or royalties targeting the WA resources sector.
- Doubling the Strategic Industries Fund to $1 billion for the development of turnkey industrial land.
- Developing a Green Iron and Steel Action Plan as part of a broader Made in WA strategy to expand domestic manufacturing capability.
- Reducing the royalty rate on vanadium products to 2.5 per cent, with no royalties for midstream production of vanadium electrolyte.
- $13 million for upgrades to ease congestion and improve safety at the entries of the Kwinana and Kemerton Strategic Industrial Areas.
- $15.5 million for upgrades to Derby and Wyndham ports to support their First Point of Entry designation.
- $60 million for a second round of the Investment Attraction Fund's New Energies Industries stream.
- $9 million to double funding available through the Exploration Incentive Scheme.
- $1.2 million to develop an Advanced Biofuels Strategy to help unlock low carbon liquid fuels.
Ms Tomkinson said CME looked forward to working with the Cook Government on the implementation of each election commitment, as well as to address outstanding recommendations from CME's October Pre-Budget Submission.
"The Premier's first priority must be the delivery of a draft master transmission plan for the South West Interconnected System to provide certainty and unlock investment in large-scale wind and solar generation," Ms Tomkinson said.
"So much of the Premier's plans for WA rely on his government delivering affordable, low-emission energy. Without it, we have no hope of making more things here in WA and will struggle just to hang on to our existing manufacturing base.
Ms Tomkinson encouraged Premier Cook to continue to stand up for WA's interests in Canberra.
"The Premier has been a strong advocate for the importance of our State's resources sector to the Federal Government and it is critical he continues to fight for sensible and supportive Commonwealth policy," Ms Tomkinson said.
"That must include repealing productivity-killing industrial relations reforms and changes to improve and streamline project assessment processes, enhancing environmental outcomes while eliminating duplication and providing certainty over timeframes."
