Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm sure the thoughts of the whole chamber are with Senator O'Sullivan and his family. It was a big month for Australia's resources sector. As the Assistant Minister for Resources, I had the privilege of attending and speaking at the International Mining and Resources Conference in Sydney on behalf of the Australian government. Notably this year's conference coincided with the Prime Minister, Minister King and Minister Ayres's successful meeting with President Trump at the White House, ultimately resulting in the landmark signing of the US-Australia critical minerals and rare earths framework. I can inform the Senate that there was enormous interest and enthusiasm around this agreement from attendees at IMARC. International governments, investors and global manufacturers share Australia's aspiration to build more resilient supply chains in critical minerals and rare-earth processing, and Australia is ready to answer that call.

Recently I travelled with you, Acting Deputy President Ghosh, to Kalgoorlie, where I believe the critical minerals opportunity for Australia is clearly illustrated. Kalgoorlie has benefited from its rich goldfields for over 100 years, and they continue to be mined from the Northern Star Super Pit and surrounding mines. However, now Kalgoorlie has become home to Lynas Rare Earths processing facility, which processes rare earths further down the value chain, delivering local jobs and further economic benefit for the region.

Minister King and our government have been working hard to get these policy settings right to attract investment and to build more processing capability here in Australia, and the recent US framework is just another result of steady, patient and consistent work over many years to help the world diversify global supply chains. As a Queenslander, I'm very excited about the opportunities that this brings. Two Queensland companies, GRAPHINEX and RZ Resources, received letters of interest as part of that arrangement. I look forward to seizing the opportunities ahead as part of the Albanese government for us to have a future made in Australia.