WA Minister calls on Morrison for battery industry support

battery industry

With Prime Minister Scott Morrison visiting Perth this week, WA Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy and Industrial Relations Bill Johnston has called for federal government support for WA’s battery industry.

The McGowan Government is encouraging the prime minister to support the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) and provide a positive announcement on the success of the bid.

The government said in a statement, Western Australia is the ideal place to host the CRC as the state has all the minerals required to make batteries and energy technologies, and is an innovative powerhouse when it comes to exploration and discovery.

Related article: WA Government launches Future Battery Industry Strategy

“I’m very disappointed that the Federal Liberal Government has ignored WA’s mining sector,” Mr Johnston says.

“When it decided to set-up METS Ignited to support research and development, and promote Australia’s mining, equipment, technology and services sector it was placed in Queensland – where the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia is from.

“I have warned the Federal Government that its mining strategy should not get in the way of WA’s successful industry.

“I’m happy to see support for mining in other States but it cannot be done at the expense of our State, otherwise our nation will suffer.

“So now it’s time for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to deliver for WA’s emerging battery industry and support the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre for WA.”

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