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The Rann Government has snubbed the launch of the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) infrastructure summit held last Friday, with no government minister attending, Shadow Minister for Regional Development Liz Penfold revealed today. “The people of South Australia have good reason to be concerned when the Labor Government does not bother to attend the peak body for mining South Australian Chamber of Mines & Energy (SACOME)’s infrastructure summit held Friday in Adelaide.” Mrs Penfold said. “Over the weekend the Labor Government announced another $10 million for the tram line extension in Adelaide, where there are already free buses, when more important infrastructure, providing business and jobs, should be the higher priority. “The Rann Government promotes its ‘pro mining rhetoric’ which is just that- rhetoric. Concern was expressed by many present that the Government did not sent one single ministerial representative to take part in the summit. “A common theme throughout the summit was that ‘everyone is experiencing the same problems’ infrastructure, road, rail, port and airport facilities, power, water and skill shortages. “Stephen Healy of Maunsell Australia Pty Ltd expressed to me the need for a development contribution plan. “The government’s role is to facilitate such a plan with funds up front for necessary infrastructure, to be used and paid for by all enterprises over the expected life of their projects. Currently the first company is being expected to pay all costs with no assistance from government or reimbursement by other companies who use the infrastructure at a later date. “Reinvestment of mining royalties from Olympic Dam and other successful projects is essential to help provide the capital for other projects and developments that will provide jobs, see a huge expansion in small businesses and underpin health and education services in regional South Australia. “The Government takes credit for the exploration boom but it will come to nothing unless facilitation of the necessary infrastructure is addressed now. James Gall of James Gall & Associates who was at the summit expressed his concern; ‘The Government has a policy of not taking risk. Exploration companies take the least line of resistance. We need to put in the infrastructure that will support and attract industry and particularly mining investments into this state. Otherwise companies with the resources and technology that can develop industry will go elsewhere and invest in other markets.’ Mrs Penfold has recently visited Western Australia to view mining operations and processing at Bunbury and Capel where mining industry is booming. She also visited Esperance, where port facilities have recently had a quarter of a billion dollar upgrade to facilitate the mineral exports in conjunction with the existing grain shipments. “The Window of opportunity for South Australian businesses and job creation that we have now, will be lost if this Labor government continues to take a backseat in infrastructure development.” Mrs Penfold said. “If the Labor government Ministers can’t even attend SACOME’s infrastructure summit and listen to industry concerns, how will South Australia ever fulfil its mining potential?” |
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