DMIRS name change draws opposition ire
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The state opposition has questioned the government’s energy priorities following its decision to rename the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
Energy Minister Bill Johnston announced this morning that the department formerly known as DMIRS would be renamed the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety.
Energy Policy WA, the division within the department that currently leads the state’s energy transition, will continue to be responsible for work towards the state’s target of net zero by 2050.
Energy Policy WA was fully integrated into the department in July last year, having originally been established as a sub-department in 2019 to advise the minister on energy matters.
The name change will not impact the department’s other regulatory functions.
Mr Johnston said the department was being renamed in recognition of the importance of the energy transition to its overall function.
“The new Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety identity better reflects the Cook government’s commitment to a cleaner, greener future,” he said.
It was the call that drew the ire of opposition spokesperson Steve Thomas, who said the government had more important things on its plate than changing a department name.
“I think we already understood that the department dealt with energy, and changing the name won’t alter that,” he said.
“I hope the administrative cost of changing the signage and business cards won’t be too great an impost on the departmental budget.”
Mr Thomas noted the state’s surplus put it in a strong position but said the government should have other priorities in energy, including addressing the ramifications of the winding down of Collie’s coal industry and the propping up of the insolvent Griffin Coal.
“At a time that the Cook government is struggling to meet energy demand, and the state has a multitude of issues to deal with, surely there are higher priorities than this,” he said.
The department’s name will officially change from December 1.