Bryan Green talks a big game when it comes to mining but the latest ABS data shows he completely failed to plan and secure the industry’s future when he was Resources Minister.
After commodity prices hit a massive high in 2010, the rest of the country capitalised on the upswing to increase its mineral exploration expenditure. At the same time in Tasmania, exploration expenditure flatlined under Bryan Green.*
His incompetence to plan for the future is matched only by the contempt he showed for industry and his own electorate by selling out to the Greens and locking up more land in reserves.
We are now dealing with his utter lack of any planning for the industry’s future. We know that commodity prices are forecast to recover by 2017 and this Government is laying the ground work now to ensure we’re ready to capitalise on the upswing.
The Government is doing exactly that by embracing new technology and innovation, sending a message to investors that Tasmania is open for business in mining and working with industry to cut through the barriers and get new projects off the ground.
We are already seeing a number of positive signs, including a new Bauxite mine at Bald Hill, a mining lease issued to Forward Mining for the proposed magnetite iron ore mine at Rogetta and Unity announcing $5 million in new exploration work.
Bryan Green’s history speaks for itself. Tasmanians know where his loyalty lies and it’s not with the mining sector.
We are building on the momentum and since the election, 4,500 jobs have been created, which is nearly 300 jobs a month.
*ABS, Mineral Exploration Expenditure, June Quarter 2015. http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/8412.0Jun%202015?OpenDocument