Towards Net Zero in Partnership

The Chair, Deputy Chair and Directors of the Australian Mining Cities Alliance (AMCA), visited Canberra last week and met with the Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Madeleine King MP, Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia and the Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and the Territories to discuss key aspects of the Governments plans for mining communities to transition to a Net Zero Economy.

The Chair of AMCA, Phil Barwick (Deputy Mayor of Mount Isa City Council) said today; “Our discussions in Parliament House with Ministers Bowen, King and McBain reinforced our continued advocacy on behalf of mining cities and regions affected by decarbonisation.”

“Our engagement last week with key senior Ministers left us confident that the Albanese Government will genuinely engage and work with affected mining communities and their local governments – a partnership towards Net Zero.”

“In particular the commitment to that partnership has practical elements that we will soon also discuss with the incoming Chair of the Net Zero Economy Agency Chair the Hon Greg Combet”, he said

AMCA advocates to ensure that transformation for communities impacted by the Net Zero Economy is place-based, well planned, well managed and adequately funded.

“We’ve spoken to relevant Ministers, their advisors and agencies, most notably the Climate Change Authority over the past twelve months to let them know how important the Net Zero Economy planning is at a local level.” Mr Barwick said.

“We also made a submission to the Climate Change Authority this week in response to its Issues Paper titled ‘Setting, tracking and achieving Australia’s emissions reduction targets’ and our Executive Officer met with key officers of the Climate Change Authority to discuss our recommendations in detail.”

The delegation also raised other topics including critical minerals strategy, housing affordability, FBT concession reforms proposals and other social and economic influences on mining communities.