Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday returned the resources portfolio to cabinet.

Nationals MP Keith Pitt (pictured), who was demoted earlier this year in a reshuffle, will return to the Government’s top tier after a weekend of negotiations on net zero emissions.

“My focus will continue to be on the hundreds of thousands of men and women across Australia who make such a significant contribution to the resources and water sectors,” Mr Pitt said.

The resources industry directly employs more than 260,000 Australians, mainly in regional areas, and is forecast to hit a record $349 billion in exports this financial year.

“It supports the jobs of another 1.2 million Australians.

“Our resources remain in high demand throughout the world and will support Australian jobs and economic growth for decades to come.”

The Prime Minister said Minister Pitt is a powerful voice for the resources sector, ensuring that Australia builds upon its strength in traditional exports, while harnessing opportunities in the new energy economy and critical minerals.

“Minister Pitt has been a strong advocate for regional and rural communities, both in his portfolio responsibilities and as a local MP, and will work closely with the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction the Hon Angus Taylor MP to ensure we reach our emissions reduction targets through technology that will empower our industries and regional communities,” he said.

Podcast with Keith Pitt

Earlier this year, Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt was a recent guest of AREEA’s Resource People Podcast, speaking on a range of topics, challenges and opportunities for the industry.

This in-depth edition explores the Government’s National Resources Workforce Strategy, recent funding announcements, the impact of activism and more.

He also highlights how encouraging young Australians to pursue technical and trade careers in the resources and energy sector is critical to the nation’s ongoing prosperity.

Minister Pitt explained why he spends “every day, hour and minute” promoting the sector’s diverse and rewarding careers.

“I’m really passionate about getting more Australian kids into jobs particularly in the resources sector,” Minister Pitt told podcast host Tara Diamond.

“The Commonwealth’s strategy is to make sure that more kids are in jobs and the Australian workforce is out there filling the opportunities we have right now. At the moment, the world’s their oyster; there is a lot of technical and skilled jobs that need to be filled.”

Noting the transferable nature of science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, Minister Pitt said a particular focus of the Commonwealth is on the secondary education system.  He further drew links between low uptake in mining-related STEM studies and “well-funded”, “international activists”.

LISTEN: Podcast with Resources Minister

As the sector powers Australia through the global health pandemic, Minister Pitt explains why the industry’s diverse and rewarding careers should be promoted at every opportunity to shore up future skills needs for an exciting pipeline of growth.

You can listen to the AREEA Resource People Podcast series by clicking below to stream via the AREEA website, or listen through your favourite platforms such as Soundcloud and Spotify.