Albanese told the industry chiefs he wanted to increase public investment in mining to “unlock more value from our minerals” by creating products as well as exporting ore.
Anthony Albanese has assured mining company executives that he backs the continued export of energy and minerals at the same time the government clinched a deal with David Pocock on its climate change bill.Alex Ellinghausen,James Brickwood
The message to the Minerals Council of Australia over dinner in Parliament House on Monday night came as Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen was gaining ground in negotiations to pass a new law in the Senate on Tuesday to enforce the emissions cut.
Bowen has discussed an agreement with independent ACT senator David Pocock that is expected to clear the way for a majority in the upper house with Labor,the Greens,Pocock and Tasmanian independent Jacqui Lambie supporting the climate change bill to reduce emissions by 43 per cent by 2030.
The Minerals Council fiercely opposed the mining tax Labor implemented in 2010 and the Coalition repealed in 2014,but Albanese last week ruled out a restoration of the tax after Melbourne University professor Ross Garnaut called for a new resources tax at the jobs summit.
“I want to emphasise that our government will continue to work with your businesses to reduce emissions in a predictable and orderly way,underpinning the transition with certainty,” Albanese said on Monday night.
“In the same way,Australia will continue to be a trusted and stable supplier of energy and resources to our key trading partners.
“And as we work with other nations to reduce emissions globally,we will continue to be a reliable provider of energy.”
Those at the dinner included Minerals Council chair Helen Coonan,a former Liberal cabinet minister,as well as council chief Tania Constable,a former Treasury official.
Greens leader Adam Bandt has called for the closure of coal and gas exports over time as a step towards phasing out fossil fuels,but Albanese has repeatedly said his government would continue the exports.
The government’s plans for the mining sector include trying to use the natural resources to build up a stronger manufacturing base,for instance in making batteries.
“On any measure,Australia is the world’s pre-eminent resources jurisdiction – the top exporter of iron ore,lithium,LNG,and metallurgical coal,” Albanese said.
“We are a resources superpower. We can be a renewable energy superpower. Australian metals and minerals will make this happen.
“Here – and around the world – your work will drive the global transition to a low-carbon future.”
Labor’s $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund is yet to be set up to start investing in new projects but is meant to support new industries such as steel and aluminium production with renewable energy as well as the production of hydrogen.
”We are the world’s largest exporter of the raw materials necessary for clean energy technologies,but for decades we’ve shipped these materials overseas and bought back manufactured goods at a premium,” Albanese said.
“Our government will invest to unlock more value from our minerals. Because the more products we make here and sell abroad,the more jobs we create in Australia.”
Pocock is set to pass Labor’s bill into legislation,confirming on Monday he would back the proposed legislation even if the government did not adopt all of his proposed amendments.
Pocock has said Labor’s climate target falls short of what scientists say is needed to meet Australia’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and keep global warming under 2 degrees,but he has argued it at least provided a “starting point after a decade of inaction” under the Coalition government.
He has proposed amendments to enhance the powers of the chief policy advisor the Climate Change Authority and increase transparency about the advice it provides.
Pocock argued it was the Senate’s role to push the government to improve legislation,but he would still support its Climate Change bill without his proposed changes.
“I will ultimately vote for a target,but the Senate is not there to rubber-stamp what happens in the lower house,” Pocock said.
“I think it’s important to be talking about these potential amendments,ways to actually strengthen this piece of legislation and take what I’m hearing from the community I represent here in the Senate and put it forward.”
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