Formation of Minerals and Energy Department (A/Min)

Recognition of the importance of the State's mining and petroleum sectors is to be reflected in the formation of a new Government department. 

Acting Mines Minister Jim McGinty said that after 98 years, the Department of Mines would merge with three other agencies - the Energy Policy and Planning Bureau, the Renewable Energy Advisory Council, and the Minerals and Energy Research Institute of Western Australia to become a new department. 

"It will come into being on July 1 and be known as the Department of Minerals and Energy," Mr McGinty said. 

"The formation of the new department will enable the State Government to be more responsive to the needs of the mining and petroleum industry - which last year contributed $12.1 billion to the Western Australian economy." 

Mr McGinty said the move would consolidate and streamline various Government policy and departmental programs related to the mining and petroleum sectors. 

"The amalgamation will bring the administrative and policy-making groups under one unit," he said.

"There will be more cohesion and interaction among the groups." 

Mr McGinty said the creation of the new department had been part of a number of initiatives outlined earlier this year in the Lawrence Government's 'WA Advantage'. 

"Further rationalisation will occur over time with the inclusion of the policy and regulatory functions of SECWA in the department," he said.

Mr McGinty said the department would continue to be headed by Dr Des Kelly, who would be known as the Director-General of Minerals and Energy. 

The location and telephone numbers of all agencies involved in the new department would remain the same.