News Articles for Keith Pitt

Former prime minister Scott Morrison has defended his move to be sworn into a number of portfolios, saying the pandemic was an unprecedented time.

A major new oil project off Western Australia is a significant step for fuel security at a time of intense international volatility, the government says.

Petrofac has been awarded a $325 million decommissioning contract for the stranded oil production vessel, while federal parliament has imposed a levy on the industry to foot the bill.

The federal government has announced a $128.5 million package for environmental law reforms in a bid to reduce "green tape".

Australian superannuation funds are being urged by the treasurer to divest Russian assets and join the government in putting a squeeze on Vladimir Putin.

West Perth-based EcoGraf is one of two graphite companies set to receive a major loan through the federal government's $2 billion critical minerals initiative.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton says there are "many worrying signs" from Russia on the Ukrainian border as Europe looks to Australia as a potential gas supplier with Kremlin tensions increasing.

Australia has been labelled "a great disappointment to the rest of the world" by the United Kingdom's climate advisor for clinging to coal-fired power.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has committed to making Australia carbon neutral by 2050 in a new plan that relies heavily on existing technologies.

The federal government has hit back at a senior United Nations official's call for Australia to accept coal's days are numbered.

Government intervention in energy markets has grown in recent years, with winners chosen potentially at the expense of consumers.

The planned levy to cover decommissioning costs from the Northern Endeavour could be 48 cents per barrel equivalent, with an industry group slamming the price tag.

A $450 million potash development in northern WA and a $269 million alumina refinery planned for Kwinana have received major project status from the federal government.

Barnaby Joyce's decision to dump resources minister Keith Pitt from the federal cabinet is bad news for Western Australia, writes Peter Kennedy.

Australia's resources and energy exports are expected to hit $334 billion in the next financial year, a new study shows.

The Nationals are open to discussing the prime minister's preference for net zero carbon emissions by 2050, but they want to square the ledger for the regions.

Resources Minister Keith Pitt has made it clear the Nationals will fight tooth and nail against adopting a target of net zero emissions by 2050.

WA's mining sector has welcomed the federal government's decision to reinvest in a national exploration scheme over the next four years.

The federal government has approved measures designed to ensure taxpayers do not have to pick up the tab for decommissioning offshore oil and gas facilities.

The federal government has released details of a 10-year plan aimed at boosting Australia's resources technology and critical minerals sectors.

Beijing has accused Canberra of playing the victim in an increasingly bitter trade dispute while justifying a Chinese ban on Australian coal.

Resources Minister Keith Pitt has ruled out slapping tariffs on Australian iron ore exports to China as a trade war worsens by the day.

The Australian government will become a shareholder in mining and infrastructure projects across northern Australia after widening the mandate of a $5 billion investment fund.

Australian coal worth more than $700 million is being held up at Chinese ports because of apparent problems with environmental standards.

The Morrison government has approved a controversial gas field in northwest NSW, paving the way for the $3.6 billion coal seam project to go ahead.

Two production licences have been granted for Woodside's Scarborough project, but there are still hurdles before a final investment decision due late next year.

The NSW premier insists the controversial Narrabri coal seam gas project went through a robust assessment before it was approved, sparking outrage from locals.

Australia's outlook for gold is glimmering, with the nation on track to be the world's number one producer of the precious metal.

The Morrison government hopes a deal with Germany will help pave the way for Australia's hydrogen industry.

A government review has recommended new levies to ensure the proper decommissioning of offshore oil and gas facilities, after the owner of the Northern Endeavour went into liquidation.

National iron ore exports surpassed $100 billion in the year to June, double the level four years ago, while WA merchandise shipments were $184 billion.

The resources sector has welcomed the federal government's decision to invest a further $125 million into an exploration program led by Geoscience Australia, which has now been expanded to cover exploration across the country.

Nationals MPs Keith Pitt and Darren Chester have been elevated to federal cabinet in a ministerial reshuffle.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has repelled a leadership challenge from Barnaby Joyce, emerging victorious in a party room ballot this morning, while Adam Bandt has been elected unopposed as Greens leader following the resignation of Richard Di Natale.