The comprehensive review recognises a wide range of technologies and approaches are necessary to reduce emissions and galvanise efforts to remove barriers to investment.

It confirms that the transition requires ‘significant effort’ across all sectors and will involve trade-offs to ensure “the burdens and benefits are fairly shared between governments, sectors, businesses, regions and communities”.  

Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Tomkinson said improving availability of low emission electricity was a vital first step and key enabler for decarbonisation of the WA resources sector.

“Whether grid-connected or remote, decarbonisation of resources operations from mine sites to downstream processing facilities depend on access to electricity that is low emission, reliable and affordable,” Ms Tomkinson said.

“It was pleasing to note that the Review identifies the significant role the Federal Government has in coordinating delivery of Australia’s net zero ambitions with state and territory governments.

“Given the pace and scale of the task, our sector has been consistently calling for stronger coordination within and across governments to maximise efficient delivery of projects essential to the global transition”

The CME acknowledges the recent work of the WA Government to speed up environmental approvals. However, our members continue to advise that extended assessment timeframes at both state and federal levels are delaying decarbonisation and renewable energy projects and proving a barrier to securing international investment.

“We urge the state and federal governments to continue reforming the planning and approvals processes, to speed up the deployment of renewable generation and ensure a clear plan for building out transmission.

“Put simply, industry cannot implement new processes or equipment that use electricity instead of fossil fuels without confidence the electricity will be available, reliable and cost competitive.”

Ms Tomkinson welcomed the review’s support for carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS), a key technology to address hard to abate emissions.

“While renewable energy has a major role to play, some industrial emissions cannot be abated by electrification,” Ms Tomkinson said.

“In those cases, CCUS may be needed to remove emissions until alternative low emission fuel sources or direct abatement technology becomes commercially available.”

CME notes the review recommends expanding the scope of the Safeguard Mechanism.

“Any changes must include robust consultation with industry to ensure Australia remains a competitive investment destination.

“The Climate Change Authority has provided a wide-ranging blueprint for Australia’s energy transition, and I look forward to engaging with government throughout the development of the net zero plan” Ms Tomkinson said.

“That includes speeding up planning and approvals to attract investment, standing up strategic industrial areas, drastically accelerating the rollout of renewable energy generation and improving the consistency of carbon pricing.”

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Media contact: Josh Zimmerman j.zimmerman@cmewa.com

0404 947 719

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“Our legislation has to be forward-looking and not lag behind other jurisdictions – or worse, drag us backwards.”

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) said the introduction of legislation that allowed multiple government departments to process project permit applications at the same time was common sense.

CME Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Tomkinson, said delays caused by complicated assessment processes involving multiple government departments posed a significant deterrent to investment in projects in WA.

“Our sector relies on regulatory frameworks that maintain our strong environmental protections, but obviously these must be delivered in a timely and efficient manner,” Ms Tomkinson said.

“Any perceptions of inefficiency, delay or WA being hard to do business with automatically impacts our reputation with investors and our trading partners. Our legislation has to be forward-looking and not lag behind other jurisdictions – or worse, drag us backwards.

“Our commodities are superior quality but Australia is a relatively high-cost jurisdiction so we have to be easy to do business with, and we have to maintain our ESG standards. Those two factors set us apart from other countries vying for the same market share.

“CME contributed to the consultation on the government’s ‘parallel processing’ solution and its inclusion in the reforms is a good outcome, with the changes focused on delivering much-needed processing efficiencies. 

“These legislative changes are good but one part of the larger puzzle. Now we need government to focus on the other recommendations from the Vogel McFerran review, like ensuring that internal departmental processes are focused on lifting productivity.”

Ms Tomkinson said the introduction of clear, time-based metrics and transparent reporting were critical at all stages of the assessment process for all departments involved in project permit approvals. 

She said to capitalise on the efficiency improvement opportunity, granular understanding of the end-to-end assessment process was required and encouraged the government to invest in completing the puzzle.

“We look forward to reviewing the amendments in the coming days,” she said.

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Media contact: Natasha Mutch n.mutch@cmewa.com

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“We understand that striking the right balance isn’t easy. That’s why we’ve been strongly advocating for transparent consultation processes, including the opportunity for experts within our member organisations to test key reform elements.”

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) acknowledges the announcement by Federal Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, advising that the Federal Government will take a staged approach to the implementation of Nature Positive reforms.

CME Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Tomkinson, said the organisation had consistently advocated for the government to approach the reform with a long-term view for a fit-for-purpose design that incorporated direct industry engagement and expertise.

“Minister Plibersek’s decision shows an understanding that these once-in-a-generation reforms must be enduring and deliver the ‘better for the environment and better for business’ objectives,” said Ms Tomkinson.

“We understand that striking the right balance isn’t easy. That’s why we’ve been strongly advocating for transparent consultation processes, including the opportunity for experts within our member organisations to test key reform elements.

“As I’ve said before, if the Federal Government gets it wrong, better environmental outcomes are at risk, and the ongoing economic contribution of the sector’s existing operations and $93 billion in future WA investment projects and associated jobs are threatened.”

Ms Tomkinson added that while the Minister’s announcement provided additional time to work through the detail of the complex reform, the timing for the establishment of the independent federal Environmental Protection Authority was still tight. 

“We continue to hold reservations about the proposed decision-making model and will continue to advocate for a model that balances ecologically sustainable development considerations and includes the Minister as the decision maker,” Ms Tomkinson said.

She said the WA Government had been actively working with its federal counterparts to ensure that the reform design aligns with WA’s environmental management processes and implementation framework. 

“Maintaining strong ESG regulatory frameworks is important and a focus of industry. Our ESG approach must be coupled with efficient administration and regulation,” she said. 

“We encourage the WA Government to maintain its advocacy for WA and to prioritise this work. We will continue to highlight opportunities for the reform design to dovetail with our state environmental assessment framework.

“CME looks forward to participating fully in this process.”

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Media contact: Natasha Mutch

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CME understands the WA Government will approve the company’s updated five-year Mining and Management Program under its State Agreement, subject to a range of control measures being deployed.

CME said the assurances provided by Alcoa – such as moving operations further away from drinking water sources, limiting vegetation clearing and doubling its environmental rehabilitation program – demonstrated its continued commitment to maintaining public confidence. 

Alcoa and its local workforce number in the thousands and have been a vital part of WA’s south-west region for 60 years, providing jobs and supporting the state economy and numerous local small businesses during that time.

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CME Chief Executive Rebecca Tomkinson said the injection of $60 million to the IAF and $74 million to the WA Government’s sectoral emissions reduction strategies were positive steps towards industry, government, the community and businesses working collaboratively on mapping out a net zero future.  

However, she said in the lead up to the WA Energy Transition Summit, CME was again calling for action from the WA Government to lay the groundwork and outline a clear plan for this transition. 

“I’ve said before that the path to net zero runs through WA. I’d go so far as to say there is no net zero without WA,” Ms Tomkinson said.

“We have the resources, critical minerals and rare earths to meet global demand at scale, but governments must work with industry to ensure the pathways are clear for project development.

“The $60 million IAF New Energies Industries round is a welcome step to encourage investment in projects such as critical mineral and rare earth processing, renewable energy technologies and emissions capture. However, further investment by the WA Government will be required, most critically to provide certainty of access to low emissions, affordable and reliable energy but also in unlocking further project ready land. 

“If the WA Government can attract investment in the sorts of projects that will see us meet global demand – and at the same time remove red tape, create a more efficient approvals process and clarify regulatory framework for the industry – WA will be well positioned to leverage the incredible opportunities presented by the energy transition.”

Ms Tomkinson said the addition of $74 million into the WA Government’s sectoral emissions reduction strategies would hopefully support emissions reduction pathways across the WA economy.  

“The industry – and the community in general – wants to see the map. They want to know how the WA Government will navigate the energy transition and what we all need to do to achieve 2030 and 2050 net zero targets,” she said.

Media contact: Natasha Mutch
0435 383 382
n.mutch@cmewa.com

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