APGA Chief Executive Cheryl Cartwright kicked off proceedings by acknowledging two long-time industry members, OSD’s Brian O’Sullivan and Tremco Pipeline Equipment’s Ron Trembath, for achievements outside the field of pipelines.
Mr O’Sullivan recently received an Order of Australia Medal for outstanding services in the gas industry and support for sufferers of muscular dystrophy, while Mr Trembath will row for charity in Gallipoli to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Landing.
Following short presentations from sponsors Wasco and GHD, dinner attendees listened to an excellent presentation from speaker Michael Roche, Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), a not-for-profit peak industry association representing the commercial developers of Queensland’s minerals and energy resources.
Mr Roche, who has an extensive career in economics and politics, firstly discussed the recent election of Labor’s Annastacia Palaszczuk, and said that despite some industry concerns the appointment would have on resources policy certainty in Queensland, history demonstrated that this concern may be misplaced.
“It is interesting that from the moment the election result became apparent, there were expectations in the media that our sector would find it harder to work with a Labor Government than the outgoing LNP administration,” Mr Roche said.
“A quick history check shows the notion is without foundation… the QRC worked alongside Premiers Beattie and Bligh to deliver the policy settings that underpinned the biggest private investment phase in the state’s history, including the creation of a $70 billion export gas industry,”
“Our new Premier has made it clear that her top priority is job creation and with the resources sector responsible directly and indirectly for one in five jobs in Queensland, opportunity is knocking.
Obviously, growing the resources sector is a means of increasing government revenues. Premier Palaszczuk has made a good start with a repeated commitment not to increase royalties for coal, minerals, petroleum and gas in this term of government,” Mr Roche said.
Mr Roche also gave his perspective on the downturn in global oil prices, arguing that industry must not dwell on short-term concerns but consider the bright future ahead for the industry.
“I like to look further ahead as investments of the magnitude we are familiar with must be measured in decades, not years.
Despite the price challenges currently confronting the LNG and coal industries, there are strong long-term growth prospects, driven by Asian demand.
This demand has not gone away. It is being satisfied in the short-term because of over-supply and a global economic downturn. Be assured that the developing economies of Asia are not planning to turn the clock back. Commodity markets by their nature are cyclical, but we are well-positioned for future growth in Queensland, if we keep the focus on global competitiveness.”
Mr Roche concluded with a discussion on activism in the CSG sector, which prompted much debate and discussion amongst the crowd for the rest of the evening.
The dinner was proudly sponsored by Wasco and GHD.