A top resources advocate wants the sector to abandon fossil fuels and replace them with greener alternatives.
Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) strongly welcomed Anthony Albanese as the next prime minister, and fully supported his push to transition away from coal and towards renewable alternatives.
“From our point of view, the climate wars are finished [so] it is now about how we get there, and recognising that it is not a one-size-fits-all approach,” MCA CEO Tania Constable said according to News Limited.
Constable also agreed with the PM-elect, who is one of coal mining’s biggest sceptics in federal politics, about an environmental theory that burning fossil fuels creates carbon emissions which can influence long-term weather patterns.
“A more sustainable minerals sector is not only important in providing the prosperity crucial to Australia’s post-COVID recovery, it is also helping to sustain and improve the lives of millions around the world. Australian mining is essential in providing the critical raw materials which are necessary for modern and emerging economies to flourish in a decarbonised future,” she said in an earlier public statement.
The remarks came after Albanese made an election promise to turn the nation into a clean energy powerhouse.
“We are the greatest country on earth but we can have an even better future, if we seize the opportunities that are right there in front of us,” he said in his May 21 victory speech.
“Together we can end the climate wars [and] together we can take advantage of the opportunity for Australia to be a renewable energy superpower.”
The Australian Labor Party was predicted to win 73 out of 76 seats required to form government in the House of Representatives at the time of publication. The Liberal National Party trailed by 30 per cent with just 51 seats and outgoing PM Scott Morrison has already resigned as coalition leader.
Fortescue Metals Group executive chairman Andrew Forrest separately welcomed the incoming government, describing its predecessor as an ecological disgrace.
“For a long time Australia has been a climate laggard [and,] frankly, it has been embarrassing. Australia has the highest per capita coal emissions in the G20 and in the world,” he said according to the media outlet.
Other mining bosses who welcome the Albanese government include Rio Tinto Australia CEO Kelly Parker, Woodside Petroleum CEO Meg O’Neill and South32 CEO Graham Kerr.
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