Australia's mining industry launches 'Making the Future Possible' campaign

The campaign has two broad purposes.

First, it is important that all industry sectors respond to the anti-business sentiment that has emerged in recent years. This is both a national and global phenomenon and it is important that all businesses – small, medium and large – explain the contribution that they make in providing jobs, raising living standards and future opportunities for young Australians.

Second, the slowdown in commodity prices after the investment boom has been wrongly interpreted as a signal that the mining industry is less important to Australia’s future than before. This view is mistaken.

The mining industry is three times larger than it was a decade ago. Employment in the sector is nearly three times higher. In the 2016-17 financial year alone, mining exports are expected to be AUS$40 billion higher than forecast. Just the one year increase is equivalent to annual receipts from inbound tourism. That means more jobs, more revenues for state and federal governments and a stronger Australian economy.

The campaign will explain that Australian mining industry will remain a critical part of the Australian economy and living standards for decades, that hundreds of thousands of jobs will continue to be supported, that its products are indispensable to meet the resource and energy needs in Asia, that the industry is a major contributor to and driver of innovation in the Australian economy, and that its output is essential to the new materials and transformation of energy technologies.

The campaign will expound mining’s contribution through the personal stories of Australians who work in the sector or whose businesses supply goods and services to the sector. The campaign will run indefinitely with a review later in 2017. The campaign is fact-based and not political in tone or content.

Brendan Pearson, Chief Executive from the Minerals Council of Australia said:

“It is our responsibility to explain why the mining sector’s substantial contribution to the national economy will continue and grow for decades to come. Over the last decade the mining sector contributed 14% of Australia’s economic growth. Over coming decades the mining sector will remain a central driver of growth. And the benefits of that growth will be enjoyed by all Australians.”

Stephen Galilee, chief executive of the NSW Minerals Council said,

“The mining industry makes a significant contribution to the NSW economy. It is our biggest export earner and employs thousands of people, the majority in rural and regional areas. The importance of mining to the state economy cannot be over stated with royalties paid by the industry forecast to be over AUS$1.36 billion this financial year. These royalties go towards spending on essential services and infrastructure like hospitals and roads.”

The campaign commences on 5 February and will involve TV, cinema, print and online advertising. The first stage of the campaign is expected to run until June 2017.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/06022017/australias-mining-industry-launches-making-the-future-campaign/