Federal Resources Minister Matt Canavan has addressed the International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne.

Addressing the second day of the IMARC conference – at the start of a plenary session on sustainable mining principles and social license to operate – Senator Canavan continues to give the green light to resource companies, telling a packed plenary session that we have a mandate to get on with the job of developing our nation and helping the world.

“My vision for the resources industry and our nation is… the green light. A green light for new mining basins, a green light for dams and a green light for the continued economic industrialisation and development of the world,” Senator Canavan said.

Canavan reiterated his continued focus on building jobs and opportunity for people.

“Part of that (is) reminding people about how important the resources industry is to humanity’s development. The use of our natural mineral and energy resources is a necessary condition to help end poverty, improve lives and provide for more equal societies.

He went on to reinforce Australia’s commitment to global carbon emission reduction and the role Australia’s resource sector plays in working towards meeting UN targets.

“We should reduce carbon emissions, and the Australian Government is strongly committed to that, but it is just one of many global goals to help the world. We also believe in making progress on the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. These goals include No Poverty, Zero Hunger and Decent Work and Economic Growth.

“The greater use of high-quality Australian resources gets us closer to every one of these goals.

“There is a broader reason why those who truly want action on climate change should support the development of Australian resources. Other countries are not going to prioritise reducing carbon emissions before providing nutrition or housing to their people. We can see that in-built in the Paris agreement where developing countries have much lower obligations to reduce emissions.

“If we truly want all countries to reduce emissions we must work towards making all countries rich enough to afford to do so first. If we restrict the use of Australian coal and gas that will make it harder for other countries to grow and develop. That will defer the time at which other countries will take emissions reductions seriously.”

“That means to get more action on climate change we need to increase people’s incomes. The development of our resources is part of the way to do that. We have a moral, economic and environmental duty to responsibly develop our resources to help deliver better outcomes for all people in the world.”