Former Victorian Minister for Resources Jaclyn Symes was appointed as the state’s new Minister for Energy and Resources yesterday (4 August) as part of a cabinet reshuffle.
Symes will also assume the role of Minister for State Electricity Commission, Climate Action, and Environment, as well as remaining the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.
Between November 2018 and August 2021, Symes served as Victoria’s Minister for Resources.
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) welcomes Symes back to the resources space, but urges immediate action to reverse “years of neglect” to Victoria’s exploration and mining industry.
AMEC states that Symes should be aware of existing issues Victoria’s resources industry is facing, and hopes she will resurrect the industry in this new role.
AMEC CEO Warren Pearce says Symes’ appointment needs to mark a change for the state’s resources policy.
“Victoria’s exploration and mining industry has been treated as an afterthought for far too long,” Pearce says.
“To date there has been no serious agenda to attract investment, accelerate mineral discoveries, or bring new projects into production.
“The industry received plenty of acknowledgment but precious little action. Opportunities have been lost and investment confidence weakened so badly that Victoria is miles off the pace compared to other Australian jurisdictions competing for the same dollars.”
Ben Carroll was sworn in as Victoria’s new Premier in late July, succeeding Jacinta Allen. Premier Carroll says the cabinet reshuffle — one of his early moves as Premier — is set to deliver a “new direction for Victorians”.
The ministry has been reduced in size to save taxpayers money.
With these changes, Colin Brooks was also appointed as the new treasurer.
“With new leadership, there is the opportunity to make big changes, and nothing less will suffice,” AMEC CEO Pearce adds.
“Hopefully these changes to the leadership and ministerial team will go some way to championing the importance of Victoria’s exploration and mining industry on behalf of our members.”
AMEC is a national association representing more than 500 member companies across Australia. Mining.com.au is an associate member of AMEC.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: AMEC
