Don’t believe Labor on resources, PM tells industry

Scott Morrison has told mining bosses they shouldn’t believe Labor supports the sector unless Anthony Albanese reverses his opposition to a streamlining of the approvals process.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison attends a ceremonial welcome at Government House in Canberra for New Zealand Governor-General Patsy Reddy who is on a four-day official visit to Australia.

Scott Morrison has told mining bosses they should not believe Labor supports the resources sector unless Anthony Albanese reverses his opposition to a streamlining of the environmental approvals process.

In a highly political speech at a Minerals Council of Australia event at Parliament House, the Prime Minister moved to contrast the Coalition’s approach to the sector with Labor’s and urged industry leaders to doubt the level of support for resources within the ranks of the opposition.

Mr Morrison invoked a song by Frank Sinatra as he told mining executives the sector would be part of the solution to Australia taking action on climate change and creating a net-zero emissions economy.

“I want Australia to show the world how resource manufacturing and heavy industries can work in a low emissions and indeed a net zero economy when it comes to emissions. I call this the Frank Sinatra approach,” Mr Morrison said on Wednesday night.

“We’re going to do it our way in Australia, the Australian way. If we can do it in the Pilbara, if we can do it there, we can do it anywhere, as Frank used to sing about New York.

“Australia is going to lead the world in low emissions production in the resources sector.

“And so the very industry that many have sought to use to try and talk Australia down when it comes to these issues, is the very industry that will prove Australia is a leader when it comes to new energy, that Australia is a leader in job generation and job creation.

“The Australian way, which says we can make (emission reduction) commitments and not forsake our heavy industries, not forsake our mining industries.

“And most importantly, not forsake the people of regional Australia, who others would seek to have us ignore for the sake of pursuing those commitments.”

Illustration: Johannes Leak

With Labor strengthening its language in support of the resources sector since the last election, Mr Morrison claimed there was a difference between Mr Albanese’s words and actions.

The Prime Minister criticised Labor for its opposition to proposed reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, which would have the approvals process to the states rather than have a two-tired system.

“When you have to start engaging with a process that is long winded and costs you money and costs Australian jobs, well, that’s not okay. And our proposals are designed to change that,” Mr Morrison said.

“So if people want to stand at this platform and tell you they’re for the resources industry, they need to vote for this bill. And if they don’t vote for this bill, you can’t believe them.

“They can give as fine-as speeches as you like here, but if they don’t support this bill that actually brings forward investment decisions that means jobs in the resources sector, that uphold the environmental standards then they don’t really support it. They do not support resources.”

Opposition environment spokeswoman Terri Butler said Mr Morrison’s speech was a “desperate attempt to cover his own government’s gold standard incompetence”.

“The Liberals and Nationals caused a 510 per cent explosion in delays to jobs and investment, between 2014 and 2018-19, by cutting the department that makes mining approval decisions by a massive 40 per cent,” Ms Butler said.

“Now, he proposes to devolve approvals to the states, while ruling out extra funding to deal with the additional workload. This would delay projects even further.

“The Prime Minister has flipped and flopped from one position to another and completely bungled the reform process. His proposals would delay mining jobs and investment further.”

Mr Morrison also noted Labor’s opposition to broadening the remit of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to allow investment in carbon-capture and storage and hydrogen.

He leapt on Labor’s division over opening up gas supply in the Beetaloo Basin.

“Those projects are all incredibly important to the resources sector,” Mr Morrison said.

“If you’re for the resources sector, you’ll support those changes. If you’re not for the resources sector, you’ll vote against them.

“The Labor Party is going to vote against (broadening the remit of ARENA) and they’re terribly riven within their own ranks when it comes to those issues.”

Mr Morrison noted he was being partisan in the speech but declared the different policies of the major parties are “things that make a difference in your business”.

“The sorts of changes I’ve talked to you about tonight, these important legislation, on regulation, on new energy technologies, on greenfield sites developed, on gas basins being opened up,” Mr Morrison said.

“This is all critical to Australia’s economic future. And we will fight for this. And we will continue to pursue this. Because we believe in your sector.

“That is the test, if you’re for the resources sector and regional jobs in this country. If you’re opposed to those things, you are seeking to have no part in the future of regional Australia and industries that support it.”

Opposition resources spokeswoman Madeleine King declared Labor “unequivocally supports the resources sector, the jobs it creates and the communities in which it operates”.

“We support the jobs of today and the jobs of the future. Mining is the cornerstone of the modern Australian economy,” Ms King told the Minerals Council event.

“Over the past year, as the COVID-19 pandemic shut down entire cities and countries, the Australian mining industry managed to find a way to operate uninterrupted.

“The industry put in place changes to shifts and travel arrangements, and it enacted virus testing regimes to ensure workers were kept safe and healthy.

“This is a testament to the ingenuity and hard work of the sector – and I thank you all for your efforts.”