Anthony Albanese pledges support to WA, recognising the state’s vital role as an economic powerhouse

Clad in high vis and a hard hat, Anthony Albanese stood atop a shiploader and watched admiringly as tens of millions of dollars worth of iron ore — representing millions in tax dollars — poured into a massive ship destined for China. The economic powerhouse that is Rio Tinto’s Dampier Port took centre stage in the Federal election, as the Prime Minister recognised how vital the resources sector is to the nation’s prosperity. “Rio Tinto, its operations here throughout the Pilbara and Kimberley, mean that about a million tonnes a day go out of these four ports that operate in this region, and Rio Tinto contributes some ten billion dollars of taxes and wealth to the national economy, to pay for education, to pay for health, to create jobs,” he said from Karratha. “This region is a wealth creator for our country. And the resources sector plays such an important role. “Out of the current issues that are coming with trade and tariffs, what’s important is that we have restored our relationship with some of our most important trading partners.” With WA very much the country’s engine room, Mr Albanese said he wouldn’t take the State for granted if given another chance to govern after May 3. “Under the previous Liberal governments, WA was taken for granted. I am changing that. WA is a key focus for my team,” he told The West Australian. “I want to be a Prime Minister for all Australians — especially WA.” He has pledged to build 14 bulk-billing urgent care clinics, ensuring record hospital funding and cheaper medicines, protecting WA’s GST share, backing Metronet and making free TAFE permanent. Mr Albanese has also again chosen Perth for his national campaign launch on Sunday, capping off a three-day tour of the State. This is his 31st visit to WA as prime minister, exceeding the KPI he set himself of 10 trips a year. He’s made a virtue out of not only visiting Perth, but getting into the regions too, heading to Port Hedland, Karratha, Albany, Kununurra and Geraldton. WA was vital to Labor winning majority government in 2022, when voters turned red in nine of what was then 15 seats, and is just as crucial to Mr Albanese holding onto power now. Some of Labor’s policy movements haven’t sat well with the big miners or the State Government, but Premier Roger Cook said Mr Albanese’s Government “really gets Western Australians”. “WA has benefitted from a strong working relationship with the Albanese Labor Government, and if re-elected, we will continue to build on that relationship,” Mr Cook said. “Our governments will continue to work together to keep WA economy strong: backing our resources industry, diversifying our economy for the future and making more things here. “What is good for our State is good for the entire country.” Mr Albanese and Resources Minister Madeleine King were reminded of that when they visited Rio Tinto’s operations on Friday to view the tonnes of iron ore being readied for export. The Mount Ossa, bound for China, was about halfway through being loaded with 220,000 tonnes of the precious dirt when Mr Albanese boarded the ship loader and chatted with operator Rob, who swapped the mines for a port role about a year ago. Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive Simon Trott — who flew to the Pilbara to host the Prime Minister after attending Peter Dutton’s address at The Western Australian’s Leadership Matters event in the morning — said what the politicians were watching represented about $6 million of tax receipts. When asked why the government was “not protecting” the “unique site” Burrup Peninsula site — home to ancient rock art — Mr Albanese said they were. “You can have sustainable industry together with protecting the environment and the example of what occurs here on the Burrup Peninsula. “I’ve certainly worked and seen that magnificent art here and one of the things that industry does here is work with First Nations leaders as well and the traditional owners to make sure that that occurs.” Mr Dutton used his Leadership Matters speech to unveil the Coalition’s plan for the resources sector, which was endorsed by Minerals Council of Australia executive director David Parker. But Ms King blasted the Coalition’s plans, which involves scrapping the critical minerals production tax credit and opening up a critical minerals financing fund to gas companies. “(The Coalition) are going to destroy the critical minerals fund by making that accessible to gas,” Ms King said, standing in front of the ships laden with iron ore. “Now, we all know gas has a lot of money. It’s a very important industry, but it is not subject to the same international strains that critical minerals are. “Australians deserve better than Peter Dutton, who is going to totally destroy a critical minerals industry before it’s even got off the ground. “For WA workers, for mining workers here, in Karratha and Dampier, that travel here on their swings, week in, week out, they need to know and they should know that Peter Dutton does not take the resources sector seriously.” Mr Albanese said the MCA had a “clear” political view. As he spoke, the Pluto gas plant flaring in the background and giant LNG tanks on the ship were visible reminders the region offers more than iron ore and critical minerals. The Federal environment department has now twice delayed a decision on extending the lifetime of the crucial North West Shelf processing facility, after WA bureaucrats took six years to give it State approval. Mr Dutton has said he would approve the project within 30 days should he win the election. But Mr Albanese said that would in no way help workers and the Karratha community. “What I can give them is this certainty — that what we won’t do is set up a legal case, which would delay any prospect of progress for a number of years by making irresponsible comments, because I understand the law and understand the way that it works,” he said. “You can have sustainable industry together with protecting the environment.”