‘For sure’: WA’s captains of industry keen on Albo meeting after Premier Roger Cook’s strategy confab

Local fertiliser kingpin Vikas Rambal wants to see Anthony Albanese replicate a snap business roundtable convened by Roger Cook this week amid the fallout of US President Donald Trump’s tariff regime. WA’s business leaders on the whole were happy to have attended the event on Wednesday to talk strategy, jobs and energy solutions for the State. But there are no concrete outcomes yet from the three-hour sit-down, which brought together five cabinet ministers and over 30 representatives from iron ore majors, oil and gas players, manufacturers as well as the property and agriculture sector. Mr Rambal, whose company Perdaman is building a $6 billion urea plant on the Burrup Peninsula, said discussions focused on how to make WA the number one state in Australia for foreign investors. The CEO agreed he would like to see a similar meeting held at a Federal Level. “WA has to be recognised at federal level for sure,” he told The West Australian.“ (The) Prime Minister and the other fellow ministers should take more feedback from the business leaders in WA and should have face-to-face meetings with business leaders to understand the future of WA.” The Premier said attendees wanted to see the WA economy persist with diversifying its economy and markets. “They’re also saying there’s opportunities in places like Indonesia, Vietnam and India, and we need to target those areas as well,” Mr Cook said on Thursday. “The onus is on us to continue to go to places like the India, to work with those those countries.” Prominent land developer Nigel Satterley said the tone of the meeting was “very constructive and very positive”. “(It’s) great of the Govenment to engage and try and make this State a better place, create more employment opportunities and streamline the approvals process.” Fortescue’s iron ore chief Dino Otranto said the meeting wasn’t necessarily about making immediate decisions, and there were “plenty of great ideas shared”. “The discussion largely revolved around the risks and uncertainties facing WA, particularly how we can build long-term strength and resilience in the resources sector,” he said. “We always welcome roundtables such as this – they’re a great way to bring different voices to the table and hear perspectives from across industry and government.” South32 chief operating officer Vanessa Torres agreed with that sentiment. “As we enter a period of potential global uncertainty, it’s important that government and industry works together collaboratively to ensure WA is in a strong position to navigate potential challenges,” she said. Dale Henderson — who leads Pilbara lithium miner PLS — said common-use infrastructure upgrades, including the “timely completion” of the new Lumsden Point facility at Port Hedland, were essential. “In addition, access to competitive green power, ready-to-develop industrial estates, and continued reform of land access and approvals will be critical to unlocking the next wave of investment across the resources sector and ensure Australia remains competitive on the global stage,” Mr Henderson said. “PLS was pleased to participate and contribute.” WA’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Peter Cock said “frustration” with approvals regimes, and not just in mining, emerged as a big talking point at the meeting. “While good progress has been made at a state level, more can be done, and serious concerns remain about the future of major project approvals at the federal level,” he said. “The importance of reliable and affordable energy also emerged as a key area.” Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA boss Rebecca Tomkinson said the importance of efficient approvals processes allowing the State to be an “agile decision-maker” was acknowledged. Both business advocacy bosses also agreed holding a similar meeting with Federal counterparts would benefit Australia. “A national response to these issues that considers the views of businesses would be hugely beneficial to the Australian economy. We would welcome a similar approach from the Commonwealth,” Dr Cock said.