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Labor pledges to cut red tape

New West Australian Mines and Petro- the potential $28 million clean-up job.
leum Minister Bill Johnston has prom- “We don’t want to allow rogue ele-

ised to do everything in his power to sup- ments to undermine the interests of the

port investment in the State’s resources sector more broadly,” Johnston said.

sector. “We have to make sure that decent,

Speaking at a WA Mining Club lunch- hard-working contributors to the mining

eon in late March – his first public ap- sector are not having costs put on them

pearance since being appointed to by unscrupulous players who take ad-

the position – Johnston said the Mark vantage of interaction of Commonwealth

McGowan-led Labor Government was and State laws to get away from their re-

committed to working with the industry habilitation obligations.

to reduce red tape currently holding back “That means the rest of the industry

some projects. will end up paying more and I am per-

“We are going to look at how we can sonally committed to ensuring that that

streamline approvals and how we can doesn’t happen. I don’t want to have

streamline departmental arrangements costs shifted on to the rest of the industry

to ensure that we focus on outcomes for from people who are not having the long-

the industry,” Johnston said. Bill Johnston term interests of our State at the front of

“My role as Minister for Mines and their minds.”

Petroleum is to create an environment by then-WA Nationals leader Brendon On the eve of Johnston’s first public

for the mining and resources sector to Grylls. address, the WA Department of Mines

succeed, because your success means Johnston said projects such as the and Petroleum released its annual indus-

more jobs for people in this State and $US2.4 billion development of South try update, reporting total sales of $94.8

that’s what we’re about.” Flank, a BHP Billiton Ltd operation, billion from the State’s mining operations

Johnston, who has also taken on the would have been at risk if the proposed through 2016, up $3.3 billion on the pre-

newly created Asian Engagement portfo- mining tax was introduced. ceding 12 months.

lio, told the audience to expect a govern- “The idea of increasing tax on the min- Mineral sales accounted for almost

ment focused on improving investment ing sector was not something we thought 80% of that total, with iron exports con-

opportunities for the sector. would support investment,” Johnston tributing to 72%, or $53.9 billion, of all

This included “more efficient and ef- said. total exports.

fective” policies around environmental “I, like everybody else, read the com- “Many people say Sydney Airport is

regulations. ments from BHP [Billiton] about their in- the most important piece of economic

“The fact is, without continuing invest- vestment profile in this State and clearly infrastructure in Australia, but actually

ment in the sector, without new mines if we had a mining tax added to those they’re wrong – the channel at Port Hed-

and without new discoveries, there is no major companies, it would have been a land is the most important piece of eco-

future for the sector,” Johnston said. problem and would have discouraged nomic infrastructure we have,” Johnston

““It’s investors who actually make the investment.” said. “About 4% of our country’s GDP

decisions about which goes out of that channel. It

projects proceed, not gov- The fact is, without continuing is just a remarkable port.”
ernments. Governments investment in the sector, without Johnston, who served
are facilitators and regula-
tors, but at the end of the new mines and without new discoveries, as Shadow Minister for
there is no future for the sector. Mines and Petroleum for

day it’s the private sector five years, also intends to
that makes the invest- promote WA’s technical
ments.” capabilities in the mining

Since assuming of- sector alongside its mineral

fice following a landslide wealth.

election victory on March 11, Labor has Johnston also confirmed the co-funded “Wouldn’t it be great if we were known

moved quickly to clear up uncertainty drilling grants under the existing Explora- as a place you came to for solutions to

surrounding some polices which could tion Incentive Scheme would continue, complex problems in the resource indus-

impact the sector. pointing out more dollars were punched try [when] people around the world are

Labor has a long-held “no new uranium into WA projects in 2016 than the previ- confronted with technical problems?” he

mines” policy but confirmed all projects ous year. said.

which had been approved for mining However, Johnston sounded a warn- “Supporting business in WA, in con-

under the previous Liberal Government ing to rorters of the government-assisted necting to opportunities outside of WA,

would proceed, including those owned Mining Rehabilitation Fund (MRF), in a is going to be a very, very key part of

by Toro Energy Ltd (Wiluna), Vimy Re- thinly veiled swipe at the former manage- my role, both as Minister for Mines and

sources Ltd (Mulga Rock) and Cameco ment team of Kimberley Diamonds Ltd. Petroleum and as Minister for Asian En-

Corp (Yeelirrie). Liquidators for Kimberley Diamonds gagement.”

A line was also quickly drawn through have abandoned the failed Ellendale – Michael Washbourne
the controversial mining tax proposed mine, with the MRF now responsible for

AUSTRALIA’S PAYDIRT MAY 2017 PAGE 9