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The Pilbara is a powerhouse of the Australian economy, so why have its major towns not thrived as well?

The vast Pilbara region in WA’s north has an annual economic output of more than $100 billion but in the coastal town of Port Hedland locals complain it’s a struggle to find a decent venue for dinner. Mr Carter said the lack of amenities was “absurd” given how much Port Hedland contributed to WA and the national economy. It’s an irony that has led many, including Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, to ask why such a lucrative region is home to so few people and so few amenities.”We believe it’s untenable that in the 4,000 kilometres between Perth and Darwin don’t have a city of 100,000 people,” Barnaby Joyce told parliament this year.”We are investing in Port Hedland which, by tonnage is the biggest export port in the world … Port Hedland, though, has a population of merely 15,000 people. “We need areas such as this to become the Gladstones and the Newcastles of our north-west.”

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Positive factors powering gas’ price rise

Australian gas prices, especially along the eastern seaboard, have also been trending up and look like rising further as demand outstrips supply, which is why Gina Rinehart, one of Australia’s richest people dived into the gas market last year as a partner with Korea’s steel giant Posco in the takeover of Queensland gas producer Senex Energy. Rinehart’s move on Senex was well timed with oil trading around US$70 a barrel when it was first reported to US$105/bbl today.

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The 10,000 missing miners

High commodity prices are masking deep-seated problems in the world’s big mining companies were a combination of cost inflation, supply-chain tightness, and shortages of everything is starting to bite. Reports covering March quarter production, scheduled to start flowing this week, might throw fresh light on the size of the challenge confronting BHP, Rio Tinto and other leading miners which are currently enjoying strong investor support because of near-record prices for most of their output.

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ROY HILL A World Class Vision of a Modern Iron Ore Project

The world-class Roy Hill operation in Western Australia’s Pilbara region is a perfect example of Executive Chair Gina Rinehart’s example of the next generation of integrated iron ore mining, rail and port projects. One of Australia’s single largest iron ore mines, Roy Hill is delivering enormous economic benefits to the Western Australian and Australian communities. Roy Hill provides employment to over 2,800 employees, plus a number of contract suppliers and service providers.

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Resources, energy export earnings set for record $425bn

Australia’s resources and energy export earnings are forecast to surge to a record high $425 billion for 2021-22. Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said the latest forecast, from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources’ March 2022 edition of the Resources and Energy Quarterly (REQ), is up a stunning 12 per cent on the December 2021 REQ projection of $379 billion. “The March 2022 REQ has found that soaring demand and high prices for Australia’s gas, coal and oil are a key contributor to our record export earnings. In short our resources sector is knocking it out of the park and underpinning our economic growth, our energy security and our national security,” Minister Pitt said.

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Des Houghton: Katter’s right, we need more dams, more mines and more gas

We Australians are living in a fool’s paradise when we let water that could be nourishing cattle and food crops flow wastefully into the ocean. We are already producing the world’s best beef thanks to outstanding companies like Stockyard, AAco, Stanbroke, and Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Agriculture. With more dams, more mines and more gas, Australia could become a food and energy superpower.

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$100B BOOSTER

WA’s massive contribution to the nation thanks to booming resources sector. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s pre-Budget publicity blitz this month was an interview with The Sunday Times in which he praised WA’s contribution to an improved fiscal balance sheet via higher iron ore prices.Nearly $11b was contributed in State Government payments, up from $7b the previous year, with more than $24b contributed to the Federal Government, up from $18b in 2020-21.
“Our sector supports close to one in four full-time jobs in WA and at least one in 16 WA businesses have resource sector companies within their customer bases.

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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has exploded our renewables myth

The devastating Russian invasion of Ukraine has captured global ­attention. While the world’s focus is rightly on the human toll and suffering, the crisis has highlighted the need to end reliance on Russian oil and gas. To achieve that ambition, we must be pragmatic and invest in sensible alternatives, not engage in wishful thinking about renewable energy.

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Rare and wide-ranging interview from Gina Rinehart

The most successful woman in Australia from a business sense has spoken about the importance of International Women’s Day and revealed key issues she plans to discuss with federal leaders of both major parties ahead of this year’s election. Interview by Liam Bartlett.

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