It’s been another extremely busy period for the WA mining and resources sector, including the State Budget in the first half of May.
The Budget once again highlighted the very important and significant contribution our sector makes to not just the WA economy of today but also the one of tomorrow. For the 2021-22 financial year, royalties, North West Shelf grants and lease rentals accounted for a total $12.58 billion contribution, which was more than 30 per cent of all State Government revenue. As is often the case, the Budget was notable for its conservative approach to estimating future commodity prices but it was clear from royalty forecasts that our sector will continue to be a major economic driver for WA. You can read more of our Budget analysis here.
May brought our annual Women In Resources Awards gala event, which was again a highlight on the WA mining and resources calendar. I’m sure everyone in attendance enjoyed the chance to celebrate our winners and the enormous value that diversity brings to our sector, plus hearing the inspiring stories of all of our finalists. The night also offered a fitting opportunity to farewell outgoing Chief Executive Paul Everingham, who has been a major driver in our sector’s work to grow the diversity of its workforce.
Our peer support program Resourceful Mind – undertaken in partnership with LifelineWA – marked a major milestone this week, with research conducted by Edith Cowan University showing it was both fit-for-purpose and safe for participants. The innovative mental health program has already been the subject of a successful pilot through six months last year and is now ready to be rolled out more widely across our sector.
Of course, there was also the not small issue of a Federal Election in late May! CME has already been engaging with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s new Labor Government and we look forward to continuing to work with them on key policy issues as our sector looks to capitalise on the considerable opportunities in front of it. At last measure there were $156 billion of projects in the WA resources pipeline and a strong working relationship with the Federal Government is vital to realising them.
The next few weeks are likely to be busy ones, with the expected release in late June of the report from the Parliamentary Inquiry into Sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry. CME and its member companies have participated fully in the Inquiry and have previously stated that it will act upon recommendations arising from the report which are practical and which will deliver positive outcomes. CME will review the Inquiry report with the Safe and Respectful Behaviours Working Group and make a public response upon publication.
Looking ahead, CME recently announced it would be the title sponsor of the Perth-Laverton Cycling Classic, a unique event that takes riders through mining heartland in the Northern Goldfields and aims to raise funds to support cycling and mentoring programs in the Laverton community. I’ll personally be riding in the Classic for a second straight year and I look forward to seeing our member companies supporting the event wherever possible.
Lastly, as final note – in case you weren’t aware, I’ll be sitting in the chair until our recently-appointed new CEO Rebecca Tomkinson takes on her role in the coming months. I know Rebecca is very excited about joining CME and we are likewise looking forward to introducing her to the wider membership.
