As part of the annual Economic Contribution survey process, CME has agreed to make a charitable donation on behalf of member companies for those who complete their surveys within the first three months. The charitable incentive program has now closed, and this year CME will be donating $5825 as a result of it!
Members who are eligible for the incentive have been contacted by CME and nominated for their donation to be paid to one of these three charities:
- Aurora Foundation – Delivers an academic enrichment program for Aboriginal students to complete Year 12 by building their resilience, identity, aspirations and sense of community. Students in this program have far higher ATAR attainment rates than comparable students.
- Earbus Foundation – A WA-based charity reducing the incidence of middle ear disease in Aboriginal and at-risk children across the state, including the Pilbara, Goldfields and Peel regions. The charity brings together experts across clinical health, education, culture and community.
- Foodbank – Foodbank is the largest, most trusted hunger relief organisation in Australia, providing food and groceries to charities and school breakfast programs in every State and territory. Foodbank operates in the Perth metropolitan area and has distribution centres in Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton, and Boulder.
Thank you to members who completed their surveys on time and helped support the above charities.
Members please be advised CME’s survey portal will close on 23 December. For the submission of late responses, please contact CME at survey@cmewa.com.
Contact: Liz Crompton, Policy Adviser – Industry Competitiveness (L.Crompton@cmewa.com)
Critical Minerals Strategy 2023
The Federal Government has announced development of a new critical minerals strategy. The strategy will outline priorities for the development of the critical minerals sector, including the creation of economic opportunities and achieving the opportunities of the net zero transformation.
To support the strategy’s development, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources has released a discussion paper and invited public consultation. The paper discusses the role of critical minerals in supporting clean energy technologies and considers how Australia might capture global clean energy opportunities by expanding the critical minerals sector into downstream processing. Submissions to the discussion paper will close on 3 February 2023.
Critical minerals and global decarbonisation were also a focal point of discussion when CME met with the Foreign Investment Review Board in Perth on 24 October. Discussions in the meeting covered some of the challenges and opportunities for minerals and energy investment in WA, specifically in relation to the development of critical minerals and rare earth projects.
Contact: Suzanne Eyles, Specialist – Industry Competitiveness (S.Eyles@cmewa.com).
National Reconstruction Fund
As part of the October 2022-23 Federal Budget, the Government announced establishment of a $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund (NRF). The NRF is intended to diversify and transform Australia’s industry and economy, and will invest across seven priority areas including:
- renewables and low emissions technologies
- transport
- value-add in resources
- enabling capabilities.
The NRF will provide finance, including loans, guarantees and equity, and operate commercially to deliver a positive rate of return. The Department of Science Industry and Resources has released a consultation paper and is seeking feedback on the design and implementation of the NRF, including the investment mandate. For further information on the fund and consultation (submissions close 3 February) please see the department’s website.
Contact: Liz Crompton, Policy Adviser – Industry Competitiveness (L.Crompton@cmewa.com)
