18 Dec 2020
Oil and gas industry welcomes ministerial appointments
APPEA has welcomed the appointment to the trade portfolio of Dan Tehan and the re-appointments of Keith Pitt as Minister for Resources and Northern Australia and Angus Taylor as Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction following the Australian Government’s ministerial reshuffle today.
Mr Tehan’s appointment as Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment brings deep experience to a critical portfolio essential to Australia’s ongoing prosperity.
APPEA Chief Executive Andrew McConville said the industry looked forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the ministers and the Government to ensure the safe and sustainable development of the nation’s oil and gas resources.
“Our natural resources play a critical role and contribution in underpinning our economic well-being with hundreds of thousands of Australian jobs relying on a safe, reliable and affordable natural gas supply,” Mr McConville said.
“Continuing the development of Australia’s onshore and offshore oil and gas resources will help to increase this contribution and support the nation’s economic recovery, and Ministers Pitt and Taylor will continue to play key roles in delivering these benefits.
“Unlocking more domestic gas supply will also help make a significant difference by supporting regional communities as well as hundreds of thousands of jobs in Australian manufacturing and other businesses.
“We look forward to working closely with the ministers as they continue in these critical portfolios including for reducing emissions and attracting new investment into the energy sector.”
Mr McConville also paid tribute to the strong leadership and support from outgoing Minister for Trade Simon Birmingham, who has been replaced by Mr Tehan in this important portfolio.
“Minister Birmingham has been a shining light in the trade portfolio, and we wish him well in his new role as Minister for Finance,” Mr McConville said.
Australia’s oil and gas industry is a significant contributor to the national economy. It has invested around $473 billion in the Australian economy through new projects over the past 10 years, directly and indirectly employed 80,000 Australians across the country and has contributed to making Australia the world’s leading LNG exporter.