THE LATEST exploration data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is out, and it’s great news for Queensland.

The state’s total exploration expenditure for the past financial year has risen by 11 percent to reach $708 million, compared with $638 million in 2019-2020, which is Queensland’s strongest result since 2014-15.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane said very strong September and March quarters had more than made up for a slight drop in expenditure in the June quarter.

“These latest figures show our explorers have managed to continue to expand their exploration programs over the past 12 months in spite of Covid-19's impact on their ability to recruit skilled workers and source equipment from overseas and interstate,” he said.

“This demonstrates the continuing strength and ingenuity of the resources sector, which benefits every Queenslander in terms of job opportunities and our industry’s ongoing economic contribution to the state budget.”

The good news coming out of today’s ABS data continued, with Queensland petroleum exploration expenditure up 27 percent over the past financial year to reach $296 million.

Minerals exploration expenditure experienced a more modest rise, increasing by two percent year-on-year to reach $412 million.

Queensland Exploration Council (QEC) chair Kim Wainwright said the stand-out areas of exploration expenditure for Queensland minerals were gold, which experienced a 43 percent jump, and copper which rose 20 percent compared with 2019-20.

Selected base metals expenditure – which includes copper, silver, lead, zine, nickel and cobalt – was up 10 percent on 2019-20, although coal exploration expenditure fell by 20 percent.

Ms Wainwright said despite the fall in coal expenditure, the recent surge in metallurgical and thermal coal prices and a two percent increase in the June quarter exploration expenditure are signs of better news to come.

“The QEC looks forward to seeing stable growth in exploration expenditure in future quarters and this positivity reflected in our Exploration Scorecard Sentiment Survey, which will be released in December,” she said.

About QRC and QEC

The QRC is Queensland’s peak body for coal, metal and gas explorers, producers and suppliers across the resources sector. It contributes $1 in every $5 to the state economy, supports one in six Queensland jobs, supports more than 15,000 businesses and contributes to more than 1,200 community organisations – all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass. The QEC is the QRC's exploration arm.

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THE Financial Services Council (FSC) has welcomed the revised draft legislation released by the Federal Government to implement the Corporate Collective Investment Vehicle (CCIV).

FSC CEO Sally Loane said, “The FSC has been advocating for the introduction of the CCIV for many years because of its potential to unlock significantly increased export investment in Australia’s sophisticated funds management industry.

“We are supportive of significant changes to the revised draft, particularly to remove tax penalties on CCIVs, increase flexibility on CCIVs using custodians, improve the ability of CCIVs to list on financial markets, and allow cross-investment between CCIV sub-funds,” Ms Loane said.

“The FSC will review the draft closely with members and respond to the consultation in due course.

“Finalising a competitive CCIV regime and removing tax barriers on Australian fund managers will help deliver an economic windfall as the economy recovers from the COVID-induced downturn.

“Foreign capital currently only contributes just over five percent of investment into Australian managed funds, $126 billion as a proportion of $2.2 trillion. The FSC has long advocated for using our large and successful funds management sector’s untapped potential as a major export opportunity.

“We want to see Australia financial services industry continue to grow, and reforms such as the CCIV will ensure the industry and Australia can help drive the economy forward,” Ms Loane said.

www.fsc.org.au

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A NEW GLOBAL Water Report outlining how copper mines can embrace sustainable water use to help meet a carbon free future will be launched at South Australia’s Copper To The World Conference tomorrow.

Sponsored by copper miners Sandfire Resources and Anglo American, the International Copper Association Australia and the Global Copper Alliance, the report is part of the Zero Emission Copper Mine of the Future initiative to pursue carbon neutral innovation across the copper industry.

Copper mines are big users of water, but in a world facing increasing climate stress, reducing water use, maximising mine site recycling, and minimising waste water disposal are key challenges to achieving low emission mines.

The Water Report identifies six major areas for mines to tackle in both the short and long term — base line measurement, dewatering, desalination, operational water use, tailings and end use, and re-use.

It further outlines a comprehensive list of solutions, including 'off the shelf', emerging and 'next generation' innovations to make it happen.

While the copper industry is embracing change, the Water Report makes clear that many industrial processes have remained unchanged for decades, with innovation adoption posing a complex challenge. It provides nine pathways to achieve change, from company-centric to industry wide options like thematic collaboration, business models and innovation partnerships.

“Zero Emission Copper Mines will require fundamental changes in how energy and water are sourced and used,” ICAA CEO John Fennell said.

“Every copper producer now needs to create a long term water and decarbonisation strategy, but companies also need to see innovation as part of an industry wide approach….they can’t do it alone.”

The Water Report has already found support. Two water related demonstration projects — one by OZ Minerals in South Australia and the other led by the University of Adelaide — are currently underway, while the International Copper Alliance is also promoting the study to its members.

The Water Report is the first of five Roadmaps by the Zero Emission Copper Mine of the Future Project, with others on discovery, materials movement, mineral processing, and ventilation planned.

www.copper.com.au

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THE House Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention will hold its final public hearing via videoconference on Friday, August 27, 2021, with a focus on the mental health concerns and systems that impact women.

From September 6-10 2021 is Women’s Health Week, a nation-wide campaign of events and online activities dedicated to all women across Australia to make good health a priority.

Chair, Fiona Martin MP, said, "The committee commends the work of Jean Hailes in continuing Women’s Health Week. When we support women in accessing mental health care, as and when they need it, we improve women's overall health, boost women’s participation in the workforce, and support Australian families.

"Women experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders at higher rates than men. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a rise in self-harm, particularly by young women. It is important that the committee hears from organisations that support women’s voices," Dr Martin said.

"Prevention and early intervention activities need to be tailored to at-risk demographics, with a whole-of-lifespan approach, starting at birth with perinatal care for mothers and babies, right through to menopause and beyond."

In its final public hearing, Jean Hailes of PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia), women from the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre, Women’s Mental Health Alliance, Women’s Health Victoria, and the Women’s Mental Health Service will contribute to the committee’s evidence base. This will ensure a comprehensive understanding of the factors impacting women’s access to mental health and suicide prevention services.

The final report of the committee is due to be presented by November 1, 2021.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday 27 August 2021

Time: 2pm to 5pm AEST

The public hearing program will be available on the committee website. Due to the public hearings being held by videoconference, public access will be available via the live broadcast at aph.gov.au/live.

The Committee is unable to intervene or provide advice in relation to individual circumstances. If you are in immediate danger, please contact 000. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact one of the services below:

Lifeline Australia 13 11 14
BeyondBlue 1300 224 636
Suicide Call Back 1300 659 467
eheadspace 1800 650 890
Kids Help Line 1800 551 800

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QUEENSLAND will become the first Australian jurisdiction to administer COVID vaccines to all international seafarers arriving in local ports, with a trial program commencing in the coming weeks aimed at reducing the risk of serious illness and community transmission.

Maritime Safety Queensland, working with Queensland Health, has developed a vaccination program that will commence with high risk vessels, ships that visit Australian ports on a regular schedule, those that carry liquid fuels, and finally all other vessels arriving at Queensland ports.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation, along with employer organisations including Maritime Industry Australia Ltd and Shipping Australia, have welcomed the initiative that will not only protect the health of seafarers, but strengthen Australia’s supply chains.

ITF Australia coordinator Ian Bray said 10 percent of the world’s sea trade passes through Australian ports, with maritime supply chains responsible for delivering essential goods and taking Australia’s exports to the world.

“International seafarers are the backbone of the economy, but a growing number of COVID outbreaks on vessels arriving in Australian ports highlights the need for urgent action to protect the health of these workers, reduce the risk of community transmission, and strengthen supply chain resilience,” Mr Bray said.

“Many of the vessels that travel through Australian ports visit regularly — often on the same routes — making it easy to administer both doses of vaccine to seafarers over a period of months.

“Even for crews that only visit an Australian port once, the health advice is that a single dose of vaccine significantly reduces the risk of them requiring hospitalisation.”

ITF president and Maritime Union of Australia national secretary Paddy Crumlin said the Australian Government should immediately take the model to the National Cabinet so that it can be rolled out around the country.

“This Australian-first model developed by Maritime Safety Queensland and Queensland Health has the potential to save countless lives and should be taken to National Cabinet as a matter of urgency so it can be implemented around the country,” Mr Crumlin said.

“Without ships, Australia’s economy would grind to a halt, which is why COVID testing of all international seafarers arriving in Australian ports, the provision of healthcare to sick workers, and a national plan to vaccinate the entire workforce is so important.

“This approach would also be consistent with Australia’s legal obligations as a signatory to the Maritime Labour Convention, which make it responsible for the health and welfare of the seafarers that arrive in our ports.”

About the ITF and ITF Inspectorate

The International Transport Workers' Federation is a democratic global union federation of 670 transport workers trade unions representing over 20 million workers in 140 countries. The ITF works to improve the lives of transport workers globally, encouraging and organising international solidarity among its network of affiliates. The ITF represents the interests of transport workers' unions in bodies that take decisions affecting jobs, employment conditions or safety in the transport industry.

The ITF Inspectorate is a network of 147 inspectors and contacts, based in ports all over the world, whose job is to inspect ships calling in their ports to ensure the seafarers have decent pay, working conditions and living conditions on board. They conduct routine inspections and also visit ships on request of the crew. If necessary they assist with actions to protect seafarers' rights as permitted by law.

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MORE THAN  20 community energy advocates will today provide evidence in support at a public hearing for the inquiry into the Australian Local Power Agency (ALPA) Bill 2021 and Australian Local Power Agency (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021.

The House of Representatives standing committee on the Environment and Energy will hear the bill introduced in Parliament by Dr Helen Haines MP in February this year, and referred to the committee for inquiry and report.

The Bills would establish the Australian Local Power Agency (ALFA) to support the development of community energy projects in Australia and the involvement of regional communities in local renewable energy developments.

Jarra Hicks, director of Community Power Agency said, “As investment in renewable energy continues to boom, there is a unique opportunity to deliver jobs, savings and income to regional Australia.

“We have to ensure that regional Australia, where the investment and build-out of renewable energy is happening, sees the long term benefits,” Dr Hicks said.

The ALPA Bill provided a blueprint for proposed funding and technical support for everyday communities to develop their own small-scale renewable projects, as well as community energy hubs. It also proposed a requirement that would see any large renewable energy project in Australia offer the local community a chance to co-invest in that project. 

Speaking at the hearing today, Dr Hicks said the ALPA Bill could catalyse significant and lasting value for the government, communities and the broader renewable energy transition. 

“In addition to positive environmental impacts, community energy projects can create a range of local benefits such as local economic development, local procurement, returns on investment to local shareholders, increased energy affordability as well as a range of social outcomes stemming from active participation,” she said.

“The ALPA Bill could magnify these outcomes 1,000-fold across the nation. While Australia has household level programs and programs targeting large projects and big industry, mid-scale, community-based sectors are the  missing piece in Australia.”

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has tabled the report for its inquiry into regulatory activities.

The committee’s report examines the work of five different regulatory agencies, based on performance audits conducted by the Australian National Audit Office.

Lucy Wicks MP, chair of the committee, said although the field managed by each regulator was unique, there were practices and procedures that every regulator should follow to be effective.

"This report makes seven recommendations aimed at improving the performance and internal governance of the regulators involved in this inquiry," Ms Wicks said. "However, it also contains observations which we hope will be useful to every regulator."

The report is available on the committee’s website.

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BROOME-BASED conservation group Environs Kimberley has applauded business leader Andrew Forrest’s withdrawal from fracking and oil and gas in the Kimberley region.

Mr Forrest’s Squadron Energy has been in a joint venture with Goshawk Energy since applying for 220,000sqkm of petroleum leases in the Kimberley five years ago.

“We congratulate Andrew Forrest for recognising that the Kimberley is way too important environmentally and culturally to be fracked and industrialised. To have oil and gas fracking fields like you have in Texas would be a disaster for the $500 million tourism industry and would threaten our reputation for vast intact landscapes which the Kimberley is known the world over for,” Environs Kimberley director Martin Pritchard said.

“Andrew also knows that in an increasingly carbon constrained world the shale oil and gas in the Kimberley’s Canning Basin has become a stranded asset,” Mr Pritchard said.

Mr Forrest’s move comes after years of failed attempts to frack the Kimberley for oil and gas. ConocoPhillips and PetroChina withdrew in 2014 after spending tens of millions of dollars on drilling wells for no return.

Mitsubishi spent tens of millions before exiting and selling its interests to Texan frackers Black Mountain Oil and Gas subsidiary Bennett Resources. Alcoa canned a $40 million deal with Buru Energy in 2015.

These global companies have pulled out of fracking the Kimberley but unfortunately Origin Energy has not heeded the lesson and recently invested $35 million to join up with Buru Energy to look for oil and gas here.

“Origin Energy and their investors like Australian Super need to take a close look at Andrew Forrest’s withdrawal from the Kimberley to make sure they’re not going to make the same mistakes and waste millions on exploration before realising its never going to work,” Mr Pritchard said.

Bennett Resources currently has a 20-well fracking proposal in the Kimberley’s Fitzroy River catchment open for public comment.

“The McGowan government’s support for fracking the Kimberley has to end if they are to be taken seriously in wanting to look after this globally important part of Western Australia. The recent IEA and IPCC reports have said if we want a safe climate then there can be no more new oil and gas, this includes the Kimberley’s Canning Basin,” Mr Pritchard said.

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