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The future of mining engineering in Australia looks set to remain strong, provided government and industry work together.
This is according to Andrew Mackenzie, chief executive of BHP Billiton, who claimed the country can continue to enjoy strong wealth flows from resources.
Mr Mackenzie claimed Asia’s development boom will bring lucrative opportunities for the nations that work hard enough to win its business.
”There are even greater opportunities ahead. Global demand for commodities is expected to grow by up to 75 per cent over the next 15 years,” he explained.
”The question is not if Asia’s demand for commodities will be met but rather which countries will deliver the supply.”
According to the BHP boss, Australia is an excellent position to do this, but it will be hard work competing against both existing and emerging suppliers.
For this to happen, Mr Mackenzie continued, the country must achieve a number of goals to make the resources industry a world leader.
Whichever party is in government after September 7 needs to create a modern industrial relations framework that unites employers and employees, he explained.
The importance of implementing a carbon policy that matches efforts from overseas was highlighted, as well as fiscal policies that encourage stability and free markets.
“Industry and policy makers must now recommit to Australia’s future competitiveness to make sure Australia remains a supplier of choice,” Mr Mackenzie stated.
While BHP Billiton is listed in both the UK and Australia – and has assets around the world – he argued that the company is firmly rooted in Australia.
The chief executive said BHP wants to sit down with whoever wins the election and discuss issues that could prevent the country being competitive on a global stage.
One of these issues is tax, with Mr Mackenzie noting that his organisation paid the most levies in Australia last year.