25/11/14 SMH by Angela Macdonald-Smith-Rinehart lashes out at 'negativity' regarding mining industry
Gina Rinehart has attacked the 'negativity' the mining industry is regarded with, considering Australia couldn't "survive" without it.
":For an industry that delivers so much, wouldn't you think there would be just a little more understanding and less negativity for what mining contributes to our country?". Mrs Rinehart said in a speech in Darwin on Saturday.
Mrs Rinehart, 60, whose Hancock Prospecting company is behind the $10 billion Roy Hill iron ore mine under construction in Western Australia, said the mining industry was "critical to Australia's future."
"Mining is the largest earner of export income generating more than $200 billion in much needed revenue for our country, a country in record debt," she told the Mining and Related Industries annual lunch.
"It provides jobs directly and indirectly for Australians including in places where there would otherwise not be work-and mining indirectly employs many people in so many important related businesses."
Mrs Rinehart, who is a significant shareholder of Fairfax Media, and who three weeks ago quit the board of Ten Network, said there were too few voices speaking up for mining.
Mrs Rinehart pointed to Indian Prime Minister Modi and his achievements in boosting small enterprise and freeing up small businesses from regulation.
She said Australia should follow Mr Modi's mantra of "red tape to red carpet", to cut away regulation and facilitate investment and growth, and provide sustainable jobs and improve living standards.
In Australia, regulations were "crushing the entrepreneurial spirit" of the country, she said.
While she said the government's removing of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax were positive steps, the focus must be on helping Australian companies export competitively, especially when commodities prices were softening, she said.
Mrs Rinehart pointed to the example of Roy Hill, which required more than 3000 approvals and licences, while major projects in the US required fewer than 100 and some as few as 35.
She said Australia needed to "grow smarter" to encourage investment in the mining industry. "Those in mining and related industries need to stand up for our sector, speak out, and encourage change."
She referred to Shell Australia chairman Andrew Smith, who said recently that activism and anti-mining propaganda was fast becoming one of the biggest challenges facing Australian growth.
"My question to the short-sighted is, do you really think we could survive without mining? If they are honest, the answer is no."
Expand
(20min delay)