THE Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) has honoured the contribution of former Western Australian Premier, Sir Charles Court AK, KCMG, OBE who recently passed away.
“The Western Australian resources sector appreciates the significant contribution made to our industry’s growth and development during the term of Sir Charles Court as Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Western Australian Parliament, as Minister for Industrial Development and the North West and as Premier of Western Australia from 1974 until 1982,” said CME Chief Executive Reg Howard-Smith.
Sir Charles led Western Australia in the post war reconstruction of the Japanese economy, establishing the State’s north west iron ore industry and building the foundations for the modern Australian resource trade relationship with Japan.
Sir Charles was instrumental in the development of the State’s natural gas industry, providing the necessary State support and vision for the establishment of an emerging North West Shelf gas province, the nation’s first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry and the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline providing reliable and competitive energy supplies to the mineral and energy industries of Western Australia and establishing Western Australia as Australia’s natural gas State.
“Sir Charles was also remembered for his important role in establishing the State Agreement Act processes which have underpinned the success of today’s resource industry. State Agreement Acts have provided a high level of certainty and security for investors in Western Australia’s resources sector since their establishment nearly 50 years ago,” said Howard Smith.
“The Western Australian resources sector sincerely thanks Sir Charles Court for his leadership, vision and passion for our industry and offers our industry’s sympathy to Lady Court and the Court family at this time.”