Government Should Act Now to Encourage Resource Exploration

The Australian Geoscience Council (AGC) President Dr David Denham, in a press release issued 9 January 2004, said, "We need to find new mineral and energy resources to ensure Australia's future wealth and sustainability. Now is the time for the government to act and encourage exploration, there is no need for further reviews or enquiries on this issue."

The members of the AGC believe the future depends on being creative and innovative now, so that Australia can remain globally competitive.

Dr Denham went on to say, "In 2003, the government received 40 excellent recommendations, from the minerals Exploration Action Agenda (MEAA) and the House of Representatives Committee on Industry and resources, on ways to encourage resource exploration in Australia. Both these reports, which were based on inquiries initiated by Minister for Industry, Tourism and resources, Ian Macfarlane, identify the key issues we need to address to boost exploration activity and make the mineral and energy industries more innovative and effective."

The AGC now urges the government to implement the strategies and recommendations outlined in these reports.

The five key areas where actions are needed are:

1. Improved access to land for exploration,
2. Globally competitive environment to attract capital for exploration,
3. Improved coverage of, and access to, geoscience information,
4. Maintain and develop world class research and teaching facilities for the geosciences in Australia and
5. Exploration that is undertaken in an environmentally friendly manner.

9 Jan 2004

The Australian Geoscience Council Inc. © 1999 - 2003