Australia gets new Minister for Resources and Energy

Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull MP, has announced, as he presented his new ministry, that Josh Frydenberg will be taking over a position of Australian new energy minister. 

In his speech on Sunday, Malcolm Turnbull said that Josh Frydenberg would be elevated to Cabinet as Minister for Resources, Energy, and Northern Australia.

Turnbull added: “Northern Australia is another key element of our agenda going forward. Josh Frydenberg is a powerful advocate. We have a great story to tell on Northern Australia. It is a region of immense opportunity. It needs a powerful advocate and there are few that can match Josh’s dynamism and passion for change and for the development of our nation.”

Frydenberg said: “I am humbled to be appointed Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia by the Prime Minister, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP.

“It is a great privilege to be able to serve in Prime Minister Turnbull’s Cabinet in this capacity.

He also added: “I would like to pay tribute to the Hon Ian Macfarlane MP for his outstanding service over many years in this portfolio.

“I would also like to thank the Hon Joe Hockey MP, Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann, the Hon Bruce Billson MP and the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP. It has been an honour to work alongside you during my time as Assistant Treasurer.

“I look forward to working hard to ensure our nation has a productive and innovative resources and energy sector and a Northern Australia which fully capitalises on its enormous potential,” Frydenberg concluded.

APPEA greets new ministry

“The Australian oil and gas industry welcomes the new Ministry announced today by the Prime Minister,” Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) said on Sunday.

“APPEA looks forward to working with the Turnbull Ministry, in particular the Treasurer, the Hon Scott Morrison, and the Minister for Resources and Energy, the Hon Josh Frydenberg,” said APPEA Chief Executive Malcolm Roberts.

“APPEA congratulates all Ministers on their appointments.

“With Australia poised to become the world’s leading LNG exporter, we have a tremendous opportunity to convert our natural gas resources into long-term prosperity.  Gas is an essential energy source and feedstock for local manufacturing.

“The industry has invested $200 billion to create this opportunity. The challenge for industry and governments now is to ensure that Australia stays competitive in the increasingly tough global market.

“Reforms to lift productivity and cut regulatory costs are essential.

“The oil and gas industry acknowledges the outstanding contribution by the departing Minister for Industry, the Hon Ian Macfarlane.

“Since 2001, Mr Macfarlane has been a tireless, passionate champion of the resources sector in general and the gas industry in particular. He leaves office with an impressive record of achievement. The industry thanks him for his unstinting support.”

Offshore Energy Today Staff