PROFESSOR STEPHEN SMITH APPOINTED TO RESOURCES 2030 TASKFORCE

The Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Matt Canavan, today announced the appointment of Professor Stephen Smith to the Australian Government’s Resources 2030 Taskforce.

“Professor Smith brings a wealth of experience to the taskforce with his experience and insights into resource investment and trade relationships,” Minister Canavan said.

Professor Smith is a former Minister for Defence (2010–13), Minister for Trade (2010) and Minister for Foreign Affairs (2007–10), and he served as the Member for Perth from 1993 to 2013. He is currently a Professor of International Law at the University of Western Australia.

Minister Canavan established the Resources 2030 Taskforce in March to identify reforms to secure the future of the sector. It will report its recommendations to the Minister by the end of August.

“This expert Taskforce is working to develop recommendations to help ensure our resources sector is strong, competitive and sustainable in the face of global challenges,” Minister Canavan said.

“The resources sector will continue to be one of the main contributors to our economy in the decades ahead, and will continue to drive regional growth and development.

“The Government will use the Taskforce’s findings to develop and deliver a National Resources Statement before the end of this year. This will be a long-term – and I hope bipartisan – vision to strengthen the sector so that Australia remains a world-leading resources nation.”

More information about the Resources 2030 Taskforce is available at www.industry.gov.au/resources2030taskforce