11 December 2013
AREEA – Australian Mines and Metals Association
AUSTRALIA’s national resource industry employer group, AREEA congratulates the Federal Government and Environment Minister Greg Hunt for the approval of four mining and related infrastructure projects in Queensland, securing a strong injection of jobs and economic benefits.
Late yesterday the government green-lighted the $20 billion Arrow Energy LNG facility for Curtis Island and related gas transmission pipeline, the Adani T0 coal project and the development of three significant coal export terminals at Abbot Point.
“Collectively, these significant resource industry projects would create more than 5000 new construction-based roles in Queensland and inject many billions of dollars into the economy,” says AREEA chief executive Steve Knott.
“This is a very welcome decision from the Federal Government, following the Queensland Government’s timely progression of these significant projects through the state approval processes.
“These wealth-creating developments are just four of more than 300 projects in Australia’s resource industry investment pipeline, representing about $500 billion of capital.
“Coupled with this week’s approvals, this future potential puts to bed any pre-election nonsense that Australia’s resources boom is coming to a rapid end.
“To secure this future investment pipeline and the solid benefits, taxes and royalty streams that will come from an increased and efficient production phase, our nation needs everything going in our favour, including removing unnecessary red tape that only leads to project delays.”
While congratulating the state and federal governments for bringing these projects one step closer to fruition, AREEA also criticises the Greens Party for its ongoing short-sighted opposition to the developments.
“The Greens not only oppose the coal port development but also oppose the taking of coal out of the ground in the first place. Unfortunately solar panels and wind farms don’t meet domestic or global energy needs,” Mr Knott says.
“Similarly, the renewable energy sector doesn’t provide a substitute for the jobs, royalties, taxation revenues and other national benefits provided by Australia’s resource industry, widely recognised as one of the fundamental pillars of our economy.
“These four Queensland projects have been subjected to appropriately rigorous environmental approvals. The government imposed 95 environmental conditions for Abbot Point alone.
“The Greens should better appreciate that new environmentally responsible projects, combined with a productive and innovative workforce, will position Australia well in the competitive global marketplace.”
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