New shadow resources minister Madeleine King says repairing relationship with China should be paramount

Newly appointed shadow minister for resources Madeleine King says she would like to visit China as soon as possible to help ensure a strong pipeline of business for the sector for years to come. The West Australian member for Brand was today announced as Labor’s new point person on the important resources industry after Joel Fitzgibbon quit from the frontbench and interim shadow resources minister Ed Husic was moved to industry. Ms King is the first female to ever hold the portfolio of resources in opposition or government. In her first interview in the new role she said repairing Australia’s fractured relationship with China should be paramount. “We have enjoyed great prosperity in this country from China’s most recent wave of growth and now if we fail to have a plan to re-engage with China better we are going to miss out on a second wave. And if we do that, our prosperity becomes limited and someone else will step in,” Ms King, above, told The West. “China itself is recycling more of its steel, this is something BHP has reported on and something the industry knows is changing. “So we’ve got to be on ball and not presume it is not always going to go well. You’ve got to do the hard work.”Ms King said she would be on a flight to Beijing as soon as health restrictions allowed. “I am very keen. I’ve not been to China for a very long time but I’d be more than pleased to visit,” she said. “I think it is very difficult with COVID but there is no doubt that face-to-face relationships are invaluable.” Ms King also told The West Australian she would like to have resources companies lead the way and inform Parliament on their strategy to achieve net zero emissions with special briefings to MPs. “It is a priority for me to make sure that all members of Parliament have enough information as they can handle on what the resources industry is doing to achieve net zero emissions,” she said. “These are companies that employ tens of thousands of people right across the country and they are taking it upon themselves in the absence of the Government making any commitment. “(They) are seeking to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 (and) are willing to tell us how they’re going to do it and we should listen to them and get behind them in their efforts.” Western Australia was one of the key winners of the Anthony Albanese reshuffle with Perth MP Patrick Gorman taking on the role of shadow assistant minister for WA, and Senator Louise Pratt picking up an additional portfolio of shadow assistant minister for employment and skills. Member for Burt Matt Keogh will also take on the shadow minister assisting for small business in addition to his role as shadow minister for defence industry. Ms King added the portfolio of resources to her existing role as shadow minister for trade. Mr Albanese said Ms King was a “proud West Australian” and it was important at this time to bring together the portfolios of trade and resources. “Putting Australia’s re-sources sector at the heart of the trade portfolio is why I’m giving Madeleine King the task of trade and resources,” Mr Albanese said. Mr Albanese moved key ally Mark Butler out of the climate change and energy portfolio — something Mr Fitzgibbon was calling for last year. Former shadow treasurer and health shadow minister Chris Bowen will now take on the role.