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12
February 2001 Dr
Geoff Gallop Dear
Dr Gallop Geoscience
and the Resource Industries in Western Australia On behalf of the Australian Geoscience Council I am writing to congratulate you on your election victory this last weekend. The AGC comprises seven Societies and Associations and represents approximately 7000 professional geoscientists in Australia. A key aim of the Council is to promote the geosciences, in the best interests of both our constituent organisations and Australia as a whole. Geoscience has a major role to play in sustaining our quality of life and economic prosperity, particularly in Western Australia, where over half of Australia’s mineral and petroleum exploration is undertaken. The AGC believes that we need strong government leadership in the science and technology sector to ensure the continuing strength of Australian resource industries. In recent years, the contributions made by Western Australia have increased significantly, with strong performances by the Geological Survey and the Geoscience Cooperative Research Centres in Perth. We are seeking information on your plans for the new Resources Institute in Perth. Our understanding is that this was planned to make a major contribution to develop a world-class institute of mining, oil and gas education and research, at the Bentley Technology Park. Can you advise whether this will go ahead under your Government, and if so what level of commitment will be planned? We are also seeking information on the future funding for the Geological Survey of Western Australia. The work of the Survey, in providing pre-competitive geoscience information, has been very significant in encouraging mineral and petroleum exploration in WA. The Survey has also undertaken important studies on the geology of the State. We understand that the previous government was planning to inject $66 million of new funding to stimulate mineral and petroleum exploration over the next four years, presumably through the Geological Survey. We believe this to be a very necessary investment, to stimulate mineral and petroleum exploration, which would pay off handsomely in terms of returns to the State. We are therefore keen to find out whether your government will make a similar commitment to the WA Geological Survey. I would also like to say that the AGC was very pleased to read your ‘Innovate WA Policy’ and wish you well in establishing your Science Council to advance these very important issues. Yours
sincerely David
Denham Dr David Denham AM, Tel: 02 6295 3014, Email: denham@atrax.net.au
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