Pratt, King in awe of Pilbara

Two Federal Labor MPs visited the Pilbara last week to show their strong support for WA’s gas industry.

Shadow minister for trade Madeleine King and Labor Senator for WA Louise Pratt travelled to Karratha and Onslow to visit a range of projects including Karratha Gas Plant, Pluto, Yara Pilbara, Rio Tinto’s terminal, and the Wheatstone LNG plant.

They met with industry representatives to see how the resource industry was tracking amid COVID-19 and discuss local challenges.

Ms King said the value of the Pilbara should not be forgotten.

“Visiting these remarkable resources facilities, I think sometimes the rest of Australia doesn’t quite understand the importance of the Pilbara and towns like Karratha and Onslow to the national economy,” she said.

“It’s critical that the gas plants keep running, and exporting and supplying domestic gas to Western Australia’s industry and households is imperative for our State but also imperative for our country. And same with the iron ore exports, that they keep going all through this COVID time and also with other issues that we have internationally ... it’s just super-important.” Ms Pratt said while she found housing continued to be an issue in the town, there were some benefits that arose during COVID-19, particularly for local businesses.

“I think there is a lesson to be learned about supporting local business and supporting local industry,” she said. “They can step up, and when it’s not business as usual, as it has been, that people can adapt and respond and keep moving.

“It certainly has its benefits and its frustrations for people.”