THE Australian Government is continuing to work with State and Territory Ministers and the resources sector to ensure critical projects keep operating during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Resources Minister Keith Pitt said his state cpounterparts met by teleconference again last night to discuss the shared goal of ensuring this vital sector keeps operating.
“The Australian resources sector is a key part of the Australian economy,” Mr Pitt said.
“The commodities Australia mines keep the lights on here, they supply the essentials for major businesses like smelters and refineries, and our exports will be critical in keeping international economies going as they too deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The resources sector has developed a set of health and safety protocols to protect workers and local communities. They include strict standards on transport and procedures on mine sites.”
Where possible jurisdictions will work together to maximise the ability of workers to move between states and territories, noting that each state is regularly reviewing its requirements in accordance with the advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee and respective State and Territory Chief Medical Officers.
“The resources sector remains well positioned to lead Australia’s economic recovery, which was confirmed in latest figures from Western Australia yesterday,” Mr Pitt said.
“They showed a 28pc increase in the state’s resources sales last year and importantly, the number of people employed in the industry rose to 133,094.
“The Australian Government is also supporting workers and businesses with the historic announcement of the $130 billion JobKeeper payment.”
