Dutton blames green tape over mining industry for decline in international investment

Australia won’t have “its best days ahead” if the Albanese Government continues to green tape the mining industry, and foreign companies shift their investment from Australia to Africa, according to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. “There are many mining companies who are investing in Africa and have taken the decision not to invest in Australia,” Mr Dutton said. The leader of the Liberal party made the comments during a tour of Rio Tinto operations in the Pilbara region’s Dampier Port on Wednesday, where he was joined by Member for Durack Melissa Price, and Pilbara Liberal candidate Amanda Kailis. Mr Dutton stressed that nature positive laws in Australia’s mining industry have led to a decline in international investment. “We have spoken to the Japanese, Koreans, and others who are worried about sovereign risk in our country,” he said. ”For the first time, they see a Government with a renewable zoning policy that is so distracted by inner city voters in Sydney and Melbourne, where they’re in a tussle with the greens, they are making decisions which are making it harder to invest in our country.” He emphasised that “without the Rio Tinto’s of the world” paying ten billion annually in taxes, we don’t have a prosperous country. Assigning blame to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Environment Tanya Pilbersek, he accused the pair of attempting to shut down Australia’s mining industry, in contrast to his own clear support of its expansion. “I want to lead a government that can see us export more to the world in mining and in agriculture, I want to see more manufacturing,” Mr Dutton said. A spokesperson for Mr Albanese responded to the criticism saying “these are just more untruthful claims from Peter Dutton”. “The Prime Minister is a huge supporter of the mining and agriculture sectors, and understands how important these industries are to Western Australia. “We have a comprehensive plan to create a Future Made in Australia, which will create more manufacturing opportunities and local jobs”. The contrasting policies regarding mining are likely to play a prominent part in next years Federal election, which is expected to be in May.