The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) welcomed the Government’s intention to reinvest up to $110 million stamp duty windfall from the sale of the Pipeline into its expansion as a pragmatic response to a critical situation.

CME chief executive Tim Shanahan said the Western Australian minerals and energy industry is extremely energy intensive and current and future development is highly reliant on the existence of a secure, reliable and competitive energy supply to all parts of the state.

“CME has long emphasised that without a clear commitment to early expansion of the DBNGP, industry development especially in the south west of the state will be compromised,” he said.

“As stakeholders in Western Australia’s future, government and industry must work to ensure that the state is sending appropriate signals to attract investment and development at a time when global demand for natural resources is surging.

“CME is supportive of initiatives that will facilitate the sale and early expansion of the DBNGP and as a result ensure that the long term energy needs of Western Australian industry and the community are met.”

Shanahan said CME sees the State Government’s announcement as a step towards certainty for investors in and consumers of energy in Western Australia, and looks forward to seeing the details of the initiative to ensure the money is most appropriately invested in the early expansion of the pipeline.