Peter Tinley has been appointed by incoming West Australian premier Mark McGowan as new Mines and Petroleum Minister following Labor’s win in Saturday’s election.
Western Australia is the home to several giant liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects including Chevron’s Gorgon and the Woodside-led North West Shelf project.
The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) congratulated Peter Tinley on his appointment as the Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Veterans Issues; and Youth in the new Western Australian government.
APPEA Chief Operating Officer – Western Australia Stedman Ellis said in a statement the industry “looked forward to working with the new Minister to develop jobs and economic opportunities for WA.”
“Peter Tinley understands that a strong and vibrant oil and gas sector is vital to the WA economy,” Mellis said.
“The sector directly employs around 20,000 Western Australians, provides contracts worth more than $8 billion for local companies and generates around $1 billion a year in revenues for the State.”
“While the industry – and WA – have been hit hard by the end of the construction boom and the collapse in global commodity prices, the long term future for oil and gas is bright,” Ellis said.
Ellis added it was important that the new government implements policies that encourage investment and growth.
McGowan and his new cabinet would be sworn in tomorrow.