Norman Moore leaves a big pair of steel capped boots to fill

Since the electoral bell was rung in favour of Western Australia Premier, Colin Barnett returning for a second term there has been much anticipation as to who he would choose to replace industry-favourite Norman Moore as Minister for Mines and Petroleum.

Moore’s latest stint in the portfolio saw a number of popular and successful policies introduced including streamlining of the approvals processes and the introduction of the WA government’s co-funded exploration drilling Exploration Incentive Scheme.

Barnett put the pollsters of West Perth out of their misery, of sorts, by announcing he had moved Bill Marmion from the Environment and Water portfolios to become the new Minister for the Mines and Petroleum

Marmion’s arrival to the portfolio was greeted warmly by industry groups.

“With his previous role as Minister for Environment and Water, Minister Marmion is well prepared for this portfolio,” Association of Mining and Exploration Companies chief executive officer Simon Bennison said.

“Leading up to the State election the Liberals released their Mines and Petroleum Policy which recognised numerous recommendations from the AMEC WA Policy Platform.

“Key commitments included allocating additional funds to expand the existing approvals tracking system and the continuation of the existing Exploration Incentive Scheme.”

Although Bennison said AMEC is looking forward to working with the new government, he also took the opportunity to express AMEC’s disappointment by a recent announcement from WA Treasurer, Troy Buswell to increase the payroll tax threshold from $750,000 to $850,000 – to come into effect by 2016-2017.

“The change follows calls from AMEC and other associations to increase the threshold to $1.5 million and reduce the rate to five per cent,” Bennison said.

“This change does not go far enough and is not in line with average wage increases.

“AMEC urges the Treasurer to readdress this issue.”

Encouraging Barnett’s new cabinet to stay true to its commitments was a theme echoed by Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) chief executive Reg Howard-Smith.

Howard-Smith indicated the rising cost of doing business was becoming something of an albatross around the neck of the Western Australian resource sector.

“Our attractiveness as a place to develop resources projects is under threat due to additional layers of taxation and charges which are driving up business costs,” Howard-Smith said.

“Policy initiatives that focus on reducing costs, duplication and red tape will deliver ongoing economic benefits to all Western Australians.”

The CME presented a list of commitments made by the Barnett government it said were of particular interest to the Western Australian resources sector, such as:

The expansion of the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s approvals tracking scheme into the Department of Water, The Department of Environment Regulation and the Environmental Protection Authority;

The development of a publically available online biodiversity, water and cultural heritage database and virtual library; and

The creation of a separate dedicated environmental regulatory department to look over all environmental approvals, associated enforcement and waste management functions.

“Premier Barnett’s strong statement opposing additional levies and taxes on the resource sector – such as the training levy proposed by the WA Nationals, showed a clear understanding of the challenges faced by the sector,” Howard-Smith said.

“CME is looking forward to working with the new Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Bill Marmion.

“As the Minister for the Environment, Minister Marmion was focused on reducing duplication and ensuring timely approvals processes.

“This common-sense approach was welcomed by the Western Australian resource sector.”