'Come to WA', McGowan tells big miners, tech companies

WA Premier Mark McGowan has urged mining companies, workers and businesses associated with the resources industry to “come to WA” as he launched the Resources Technology Showcase in Perth.

The Showcase brings together experts, delegates and media from around the world, with automation and innovation major focuses for two days of keynote speeches and panel sessions.

The Premier encouraged businesses to consider making WA their home base.

“Come to WA – we are the most outstanding mining and resources jurisdiction in the world,” Mr McGowan told a large crowd at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Premier McGowan used his speech to launch two new resources-related State Government initiatives – a collaboration between Chevron, Woodside and UWA to form a new research laboratory and an automation challenge pilot program for Year 5 and 6 students in the Pilbara.

Mr McGowan said the Centre for Long Subsea Tiebacks would help ensure the State remained at the forefront of the global LNG scene.

“We are committed to ensuring untapped discoveries can become commercially viable,” he said.

The Premier also called on the Federal Government to streamline environmental approval processes for resources projects, saying he had written to Canberra seeking a “bilateral agreement” that he hoped would reduce approval times by six months.

He said WA remained a favourable operating space for mining and technology companies in part because of the platform laid by governments from both sides of the political divide.

“We have been a stable and sensible jurisdiction to operate in, with a culture that values and encourages innovation,” Mr McGowan said.

“WA needs to stay on the cutting edge of innovation, not just for our pride but for the benefit of all our people.”

Simon White is Cannings Purple’s Content Editor and manages The 268, our content and news hub, which was a finalist in the Branded Journalism category of the 2019 Asia Pacific SABRE Awards. He is a former editor of both thewest.com.au and WAtoday. Email Simon.

Cannings Purple is a specialist communications consultancy with market-leading expertise in investor relations, government relations, stakeholder engagement, design and digital, corporate affairs, crisis communications, media training, media intelligence, video production and bespoke content creation.

• Incoming BHP boss likens WA to Silicon Valley
• Topical talks at the Resources Technology Showcase
• Brisbane, a year of growth with much more to come
• WA to become rare earths leader with Federal pledge
• Moving on from Milk Arrowroots: your AGM reimagined