Proposed fossil fuel developments were endorsed by both major political factions.
Mineral producers will keep turning the nation into a coal, liquefied natural gas and iron ore powerhouse without high-level regulatory interference.
“On any measure, Australia is the world’s pre-eminent resources jurisdiction – the top exporter of iron ore, lithium, LNG, and metallurgical coal. We are a resources superpower,” Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at an Australian minerals industry parliamentary dinner.
“Australia will continue to be a trusted and stable supplier of energy and resources to our key trading partners. As we work with other nations to reduce emissions globally, we will continue to be a reliable provider of energy.”
Albanese hopes his support for fossil fuels will indirectly accelerate clean energy projects too.
“Japan and South Korea are already looking to us for their clean energy needs, actively building partnerships with Australian companies on – for example – the supply of green hydrogen. We can be a renewable energy superpower, [and] Australian metals and minerals will make this happen,” he said.
Federal Liberal National leader Peter Dutton refused to oppose coal developments since the national economic recovery hinges on a strong resources sector.
“A strong performing and well-supported minerals and mining sector will help us as a country to speed-up the road to recovery,” he said at the Minerals Council of Australia’s minerals week luncheon according to the Australian Associated Press.
“Our minerals and mining sector has been core to our national prosperity, historically, and has helped cushion our country from some of the damaging economic impacts … [so] there is a lot more work that we need to do in conveying that.”
Dutton believes a fossil fuels boom will also help encourage more copper, lithium, nickel and other critical mineral production.
“The need for critical minerals is soaring to accommodate the growth in renewables, low emission technologies, batteries and electric vehicles,” he said according to the newswire agency.
“The inconvenient truth, of course, for activists is that decarbonisation will require more mining. I take some delight knowing it must keep them up at night.”
Related articles
Coal price hits $648 a tonne due to energy crisis
Coal boom will continue into 2023 says employer
Coal boom makes mineral producer’s earnings soar
Six coal producers oppose ‘excessive’ revenue raising.
but we in australia not sending the raw materials overseas to be processed and made in to a product then brought back..we need to process and make the items here. ie added value