- Legislation seeking to repeal the Pilbara Port Assets (Disposal) Act 2016 to be introduced into WA Parliament
- Repeal Bill will ensure Utah Point Bulk Handling Facility remains in State Government hands
- Utah Point is a critical facility to the operation of Pilbara Ports
- 2016 Act was passed by the Liberal-National Government to enable the sale of Utah Point
The Cook Labor Government will introduce legislation into WA Parliament that would prevent the future sale of the Utah Point Bulk Handling Facility to private owners.
In 2016, the then-Liberal National Government passed thePilbara Port Assets (Disposal) Act 2016, which allows for the sale of the critical port facility.
The Utah Point Bulk Handling Facility serves a critical function to the ongoing growth of the State's resources sector.
It delivers common user ship-loading services and provides greater opportunities for smaller mining operators to access export opportunities out of the Pilbara.
Selling off the facility to private operators would undermine access to port facilities for smaller mining operators, stymying future private investment and risking Western Australian jobs.
It would also limit the capacity for the government to ensure pricing is fair and equitable for all operators.
As stated by Treasurer Rita Saffioti:
"We did not support and will never support the sale of the Utah Point Bulk Handling Facility.
"This Act was a bad idea at the time, and I'm yet to see any evidence to suggest it would have ever created any benefit for the taxpayer or the government.
"The Act was rushed and poorly written, failing to mention Utah Point by name, meaning that, by rights, the Act granted blanket powers to sell any and all assets of Pilbara Ports.
"This was simply a desperate attempt to get a one-off sugar hit that would paper over the cracks of a fiscally reckless Liberal-National Government.
"This was just one example of the Liberal and Nationals' appetite to privatise State assets in pursuit of budget repair after years of reckless financial management.
"The introduction of this Bill will ensure we keep this critical piece of infrastructure in State hands, and future private sector investment and job creation is not hampered."
As stated by Ports Minister Stephen Dawson:
"We are proud to be in a unique position where the State Government owns and operates our ports.
"Utah Point provides export capacity for smaller iron ore miners and currently handles over 20 million tonnes per year, generating significant revenue for the State rather than private operators.
"The Cook Government is legislating to keep Utah Point in WA hands so that Pilbara regional communities and businesses benefit from the resources sector jobs that it facilitates."
