Howard treats WA resources sector with contempt

11/6/04 Prime Minister John Howard's recent visit to Western Australia has proven once and for all that the Howard Government views WA's resources sector as little more than a cash cow.

11/6/04
Prime Minister John Howard's recent visit to Western Australia has proven once and for all that the Howard Government views WA's resources sector as little more than a cash cow.
Despite being constantly lobbied to assist the State in funding a number of initiatives to assist the resources sector, the Prime Minister's only announcement at a lunch hosted by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy on Thursday, was $500,000 to address skills shortages within the industry.
While welcoming the Prime Minister's announcement, Acting State Development Minister John Kobelke said the spending was paltry, compared with the millions the Gallop Government was investing in the industry.
"WA's resources sector has every reason to feel betrayed by the Howard Government," Mr Kobelke said.
"While he pretends to be a champion of industry, Mr Howard refuses to assist the WA resources sector at almost every opportunity.
"Thank goodness we have a State Government that understands the importance of the resources sector to the creation of jobs and opportunities for all Western Australians."
The Minister said the Prime Minister should have announced a whole range of initiatives while in Perth, given that the Federal Government received the vast majority of Government revenues flowing from major resources projects in WA.
"Where was the announcement giving WA a better share of revenues from Gorgon?" he asked.
"Where was the announcement about matching the State Government's investment in infrastructure for the Ravensthorpe nickel project?
"Where was the announcement about matching the State Government's $183million gas processing infrastructure commitment on the Burrup?
"Where was the announcement about matching the State Government's $12million investment in pre-competitive geoscience data?
"The Howard Government should stop using the WA resources sector to fund its Eastern States election promises and join with the Gallop Government in investing in the future of WA's most significant industry sector."
Minister's office: 9222 9699