Queensland Nationals’ MP Keith Pitt is the new Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, following the Coalition’s Ministry rehsuffle.

Australian Resources and Energy Group AREEA congratulated Mr Pitt for his elevation to Cabinet.

“AREEA and our members congratulate Mr Pitt for his appointment into this vitally important portfolio for Australia,” AREEA Chief Executive, Steve Knott, said.

“We look forward to working with the new Minister on policies to support and grow an industry which provides hundreds of thousands of high-paying skilled jobs, supports regional economies and delivers the national revenues that builds vital infrastructure and funds social programs.

“For many years the Australian resources industry has been exceptionally served by committed and highly knowledgeable federal ministers from both ALP and Coalition governments, including Martin Ferguson, Gary Gray, Ian Macfarlane and most recently Matthew Canavan.

“Mr Pitt has big shoes to fill, but as a passionate regional Queenslander with prior experience in the trade and investment portfolio, we are sure he is up to the challenge.”

AREEA thanks Senator Canavan

The announcement of the new Cabinet prompted AREEA and its members to highlight its appreciation of Senator Canavan’s hard work during his near-four years in the portfolio.

“Senator Canavan has been a strong supporter of AREEA, our members and the Australian resources and energy industry since being elected to the Senate in 2013,” Mr Knott said.

“We have enjoyed an especially close relationship with Senator Canavan since his appointment as Minister for Resources and Northern Australia in 2016.

“Over this period he has achieved great things for the industry, not the least leading the Resources 2030 Taskforce in 2018 and developing the first National Resources Statement in over 20 years. AREEA was proud to have played a strong consultative role in that process.

“Senator Canavan should be extremely proud of all he has achieved as Minister for Resources and Northern Australia.

“It’s clear he understands how important the resources industry is to supporting communities across regional Australia, and that for our regional areas to prosper, both resources and agriculture must co-exist and cooperate.

“We wish him all the best for the next phase of his parliamentary career.”

More about the new Minister

Mr Pitt said he was “deeply honoured” by the “great privilege” to join the ministry.

Since his election in 2013, he has held ministerial positions in previous parliaments, firstly as Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister in the Agriculture portfolio, Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, and then Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister working in the Infrastructure portfolio.

“Before entering politics I was a tradesman, an engineer, a small business owner and a farmer, and I want to bring that practical, common sense experience to the portfolio,” he said.

“The resources sector in Australia is a dynamic industry with great opportunity to further develop and drive our nation forward and I look forward to the challenges this presents.

“I also look forward to making sure Australia’s scarce water resources are well managed.”

In an interview with The Australian newspaper, Mr Pitt declared the government will support new coalmines in Queensland’s Galilee Basin and also talked up high-efficiency, low-emission coal combined with carbon capture and storage technology.