State Development portfolio takes shape

21/6/01
State Development Minister Clive Brown said he was excited by the changes announced by Premier Dr Geoff Gallop in relation to the State Development portfolio.
The changes, endorsed by State Cabinet, will result in the amalgamation of the current Department of Minerals and Energy and the Department of Resources Development to form a new entity, to be called the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
Commerce and Trade will also merge with the strategic elements of Contract and Management Services to form a new entity, to be called the Department of Industry and Technology.
Both departments will officially come into being on July 1.
Mr Brown said the new mining and resources structure combined the regulatory functions with industry development functions and he was confident this would lead to efficiencies for industry.
"There is now one department for industry to deal with - from project planning through to start-up and operation," he said.
"The MOG Taskforce and the State Government listened carefully to industry feedback and developed a structure that would both reflect our desire to streamline agencies and maintain the integrity of the functions so vital to industry."
Dr Jim Limerick will be the acting chief executive officer of the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
Mr Brown said the new Department of Industry and Technology would have a huge role to play in the State's future.
"This new agency will be the cutting edge centre of industry development and it will also be the conduit for developing our trading reputation with the rest of the world," he said.
"The integration of the Government's strategy on purchasing functions into the department will provide a significant boost in driving the State's economic development."
The new department is expected to maximise the benefits derived from new and emerging industries and technology, as well as supporting the competitiveness of existing and future industries.
Dr Paul Schapper will be the acting chief executive officer of the Department of Industry and Technology.
Mr Brown said he expected industry and the community to embrace the changes as they created a refreshed, streamlined and more dynamic approach to service delivery.
Media contact: Bev East on 9222 9699