New industry boss Aaron Morey says energy certainty is the key to WA’s future economy

The new head of the State’s peak mining lobby is heading into the industry’s toughest negotiation yet, insisting that there is still “untapped potential” under WA’s feet. Aaron Morey takes over as chief executive of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy on Monday, only days after Labor rebuffed industry’s pleas to do a deal on environmental laws with the Greens instead of the Coalition. He will be a key voice in negotiations for a bilateral agreement, which will decide how the promise of faster, simultaneous decisions is implemented in WA. “Negotiating a bilateral is absolutely critical for when the Federal environmental laws kick in, and that will absolutely be a focus for us, Mr Morey said. “Gas has been excluded from the streamline pathway, which is extremely disappointing. We’re not sure the extent to which gas has been singled out. “Certainly I would note that the Government’s own Future Made in Australia strategy is absolutely contingent on bringing on gas supply.” Opposition Leader Sussan Ley refused to shoulder the blame for the Coalition’s failed negotiations on Sunday, insisting that Labor did not act with “integrity” in pursuing a deal for the legislation to pass. “We could not get the black and white details of the amendments out of them, almost until the 11th hour,” she told Sky News. “There was no willingness . . . In that last week, (Environment Minister) Murray Watt was walking around the building with two sets of amendments, one for the Coalition and one for the Greens. “What does that tell you? I must get the deal done. It doesn’t matter what it is.” But there were amendments to the legislation as a result of lobbying from WA, including a 14-day limit on stop-work orders. And Mr Morey does not believe industry has lost the upper hand in the wake of Labor’s sweeping election victories in WA and Canberra. “No, because I truly believe that the resources sector in WA is just going to go from strength to strength,” Mr Morey said. “There is just so much untapped potential still to be realised from the resources sector, the value in the ground out there is as high as it’s ever been. “The critical minerals, the rare earths, those opportunities are right at the heat of geo-politics and that puts the WA mining sector right at the centre of world affairs.” Previously a senior advisor to former WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt, Mr Morey maintained a delicate relationship with the McGowan Government as the public voice of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the fraught Covid era, when business was at the mercy of strict - and often changing - lockdown rules. Premier Roger Cook has joked that he’s relieved retail trading hours won’t be top of Mr Morey’s wish list now. Instead, the economist says faster approvals, the surging cost of energy to do business, and the State’s skills shortages are front of his mind. He says the State Development Bill, which the Cook Government is aiming to pass in the next two weeks, would be a “great” step forward. But he says WA has fallen behind on energy costs. “There are some countries that we’re competing with that have access to incredibly cheap power,” Mr Morey said. “We’re obviously undergoing an energy transition and it’s important we do that in a way that doesn’t compromise affordability and reliability. “So the importance of gas in that mix is really important because it can be switched on and off very easily. “The investment in the transmission infrastructure to bring those renewables on as quickly as possible is important as well. “It’s really important as we take these steps forward through the energy transition that we have very good visibility and oversight around what prices are going to look like now, and into the short term, so that businesses can plan.” He re-iterated the CME’s support for net zero by 2050, despite the Federal Opposition formally abandoning the target. “Certainty is very important for business,” Mr Morey said. “Our members will get on with the job, our members are at the forefront. They are absolutely leaning into the challenge when it comes to decarbonising operations.” WA’s future economy depends on what they come up with. Mr Morey said the State was brimming with opportunities thanks to minerals — both newly discovered and old — and needed to pause only for a moment when prompted to explain why gallium is suddenly so valuable. “(It is) very exciting for the State,” he said. “(It) plays an important role in producing magnets across the world for heavy industry. “You’ve seen what’s happened with gold, there’s still so much more potential when it comes to our iron ore, the bauxite, the lithium gas both onshore and offshore. “There is generations worth of opportunity for young people in this State. There are young kids in school today whose lives will be changed through further investment in the resources sector. “That’s why I love this sector, this economy and this institution. This, more than any other, can make a difference to the lives of kids today.”