WA Liberals to use Pilbara iron ore in new ‘green steel’ industry under Kirkup’s New Energy Jobs Plan

Opposition leader Zak Kirkup says Labor has “dudded” the people of the Pilbara after announcing how his party’s New Energy Jobs Plan will diversify the region’s economy and bolster climate action with the production of green steel. Mr Kirkup’s response to Labor’s involvement in the North West comes as the WA Liberals announce plans to build Australia’s biggest renewable energy and export project under the scheme. The plan promises to shut down coal-fired power stations by 2025 in an effort to reach net zero emissions by 2050 in accordance with the Paris agreement. Specifically in the Pilbara, the proposed plan would include manufacturing green steel to compliment existing iron ore production, which is expected to create up to 10,000 new jobs. Mr Kirkup said the Pilbara “deserved more” from Labor and that his new plan would ensure more jobs and increased liveability in mining towns such as Port Hedland. “I’m genuinely surprised and shocked about the lack of investment that (has) happened under the Labor government,” he said. “I suspect that is because Labor has continued to ignore the regions, they continue to ignore the bush more broadly and that’s been really problematic. “We want to make sure we diversify our economy right across the State but particularly in the Pilbara. “We are missing out on the opportunities of the future if we don’t seize on our natural advantage here.” Mr Kirkup rejected criticism the new plan would increase housing prices for everyday West Aussies, citing an independent review which found the proposed plan would lower costs by up to 10 per cent. Pilbara Liberal candidate and former Town of Port Hedland Mayor Camilo Blanco said the new plan was an important step in creating a sustainable future. “The world is demanding green products, they are demanding that steel is manufactured without any emissions, so we are positioned in a great spot to make sure that happens in the Pilbara,” he said. “We have the resources, we have the companies, we have everything here in the Pilbara to make sure this can happen.” Mr Blanco said affordable housing and education would be his top priority to retain project workers and their families in a town with agonising child care wait lists. “It’s absolutely critical that town’s like Port Hedland Karratha and Newman have a housing plan...(to) support the people that are working in childcare in the hospitals (and) at the police station.”