Anthony Albanese warns ‘world will pass us by’ if mining industry fights industrial reforms

Anthony Albanese will warn the mining sector it will fail to take advantage of the net-zero transition if it embraces conflict over co-operation on workplace reforms.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will warn the mining sector it will fail to take advantage of the net-zero transition if it embraces conflict over co-operation.

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Anthony Albanese will warn the mining sector it will fail to take advantage of the net-zero transition if it embraces conflict over co-operation, as the industry escalates its campaign against Labor’s industrial relations agenda in a new report urging the government to reverse its “productivity destroying” workplace reforms.

Less than a fortnight after Resources Minister Madeleine King launched a scathing attack on BHP for opposing Labor’s workplace laws, Mr Albanese will tell mining bosses the “world will go right past us” if “we abandon co-operation for conflict”.

“Because while the world wants what Australia has, it won’t wait around for us,” Mr Albanese will say in an industry event at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday night.

“If we hesitate, or hang back, if we let points of disagreement delay us, if we abandon co-operation for conflict, if we listen to those who spend all their time talking Australia down and saying our companies can’t compete and our workers shouldn’t try.

“Then the world will go right past us.”

Mr Albanese will declare the industry was central to the government’s Future Made in Australia vision “because every nation committed to net zero will need more of the resources and technology that go into producing clean energy and green steel and cement”.

“Including the metals, rare earths and other critical minerals that Australia has in abundance,” Mr Albanese will say, according to a copy of the speech seen by The Australian.

“The International Energy Agency projects that – without any change to current policies –mineral demand for clean energy technologies will double between now and 2030.

“But if, as you would expect, countries continue to ramp up their efforts to meet net zero, demand will triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040.”

The mining industry has opposed Labor’s crackdown on labour hire and multi-employer bargaining laws.

A report by the Minerals Council of Australia released ahead of Mr Albanese’s speech on Monday calls for changes in government policy to unlock the potential of the sector to take advantage of a low emission future.

As Labor begins an advertising campaign attacking Peter Dutton’s nuclear plans, the MCA report urges the government to lift the prohibition on the energy source. It also calls on the government to “put productivity at the heart of workplace relations and reverse productivity-destroying”.

“Unlocking value along the entire materials supply chain requires a productive workplace system that allows for businesses to increase productivity and continue to provide the most competitive terms and conditions to attract and maintain workers,” it says.

The report urged the government to retain the fuel tax credit scheme and commit to no new taxes on the sector, while calling for a faster environmental approvals process.

MCA chief executive Tania Constable said the Future Made in Australia agenda would fail without mining investment.

Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Tania Constable. Picture: Colin Murty

Resources Minister Madeleine King. Picture: Colin Murty/Pool/AFP)

“Australia has a brief window of opportunity to meet the government’s ambitions of becoming a clean energy superpower,” Ms Constable said.

“But that ambition will only be achieved if Australia doubles down on what it’s best at – producing the minerals and metals required for the clean energy transition.

“This will only be possible with internationally competitive tax settings, productive workplace arrangements, streamlined regulatory approvals and expanded trade and investment opportunities.

“Well-targeted policies and public expenditure that improve investment conditions are crucial to enabling private sector capital to do the heavy lifting in achieving the desired outcomes.”

In August, Ms King stunned the mining industry by issuing an extraordinary spray against BHP for “railing against” Labor policies and refusing to work productively with union leaders.

“They’re the first to go to the Murdoch press (News Corp is publisher of The Australian) to do a story around what they don’t like about what a Labor government chooses to do, and it wouldn’t matter what it is,” she said.