Mining and politics are joined at the hip
The following is a Facebook post by Jeremy Buckingham:
There is a revolving door between mining and government.
The following is a list of some of the people who work or worked as lobbyists for the mining industry who used to be or became politicians, including ministers, advisers for Liberal, Labor and National Party politicians or senior government bureaucrats. It is by no means complete but gives a sense of the extent of the revolving door between miners and the government. If you know of more, please let me know.
Ministers who became involved in mining after politics
Mark Vaile
former deputy prime minister and leader of Nationals under the Howard Government
on the board of Aston Resources – now merged with Whitehaven Coal.
John Anderson
former deputy prime minister and leader of the Nationals under the Howard Government
served as Chair of coal seam gas company Eastern Star Gas (acquired by Santos)
Martin Ferguson
Minister for Energy & Resources under Rudd/Gilllard
now chair of APPEA advisory board
Craig Emerson
Minister for Trade and Competitiveness under Rudd/Gillard
Now an economic consultant.whose clients include AGL and Santos
Greg Combet
Minister for Energy and Climate Change under Rudd/Gillard
Now an economic consultant.whose clients include AGL and Santos
NSW Mineral Council staff
Stephen Galilee – CEO
Chief of staff of the then Treasurer, now NSW Premier, Mike Baird
Scott Kennan – Director Communications
Media Advisor to Transport Minister Michael Costa 2003 – 2004
Emma Browning – Director Government Relations
Media & Policy Advisor “NSW Shadow Minister” -1997-1999
Brad Emery – Director Media and Public Affairs
Press Secretary Federal Assistant Treasurer, Peter Dutton MP 2004-2007
Advisor “Australian Government” – 2000-2004
Media Advisor Kerry Bartlett MP – 1998 – 1999
Sue-Ern Tan – Deputy CEO NSW Minerals Council 2008-2012
Senior Policy Adviser- Ian McDonald, Energy and Mining Office of the NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for Energy, 2006 – 2008
Ksenya Belooussova – Media Advisor at Department of Premier and Cabinet
Digital Communications Manager – NSW Minerals Council (2012 -2014)
Lindsay Hermes – Advisor – Ian Macfarlane, Minister for Industry at Department of Industry
Media and Communications Manager NSW Minerals Council 2010-2013
Media Advisor – 2013 Federal Election Liberal Party
Advisor to Deputy Leader of the Opposition ACT Government 2006 -2008
Minerals Council of Australia staff
Brendan Pearson – CEO
Assistant Secretary Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2002-2004
John Kunkel – Deputy CEO
Senior Adviser, Cabinet Policy Unit Office of John Howard 2004-2007
Advisor to Mark Vaile, 1999-2001
Trade Advisor to Tim Fischer, 1998-1999
James Sorahan – Director – Taxation
Policy Advisor, Martin Fergusen 2010-2013
Policy Advisor, Chris Bowen 2007-2010
Policy Analyst, Australian Treasury 2005-2007
Chris Natt – Training and Education Coordinator
Worked for NT Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Fisheries, Minister for Mines and Energy 2005-2009
Chris McCombe – Assistant Director-Environmental Policy
Manager, Major Projects (Abandoned Mines Land Program) Queensland Mines and Energy 2008-2010
Third-party mining lobbyists
Liam Bathgate – Director at Australian Public Affairs
Lobbied for Shenua Watermark, Aston Resources (Maules Creek Coal Project) and Tenix Group
Chief of Staff to Barry O’Farrell 2007-2008
General Secretary of NSW National Party 1992 – 1997
Principal Private Secretary to Ian Sinclair MP (Leader of National Party) 1984 – 1987
Press Secretary to Doug Anthony MP (Deputy PM and Leader of Nationals) 1979 – 1984
Brian Tyson – Managing Partner at Newgate Communications
Lobbied for Coalpac Pty Ltd
Press Secretary Former NSW Premier Nick Greiner and Planning and Energy Minister Robert Webster 1987 – 1995
Larry Anthony – Founding Director at SAS Group
Lobbied for Shenua
Senior Vice President Federal Nationals 2006 – 2012
Mathew Watson – Managing Director at Repute Communications
Lobbied for Bickham Coal and Port Waratah Coal Services
◾Senior Communications Manager (Cabinet / Ministerial) in NSW Government 2002 – 2004
Michael van Maanen – Partner Newgate Communications 2013 – Present
◾Lobbied for Coalpac Pty Ltd
◾Adviser to the Federal Minister for Workforce Participation 2006 –2007
◾Adviser to the Federal Minister for Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs 2004 – 2006
◾Policy Adviser in Departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Defence) 2000 – 2004
Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) staff
Martin Ferguson- Chair of APPEA advisory board
◾Minister for Energy & Resources under Rudd/Gilllard
Chris Ward – Media Manager, Eastern Australia
◾Principal Media Adviser to Queensland Minister for Transport 2010 – 2011
◾Press Secretary to Federal Minister for Consumer Affairs and Small Business 2008–10
◾Senior Media Adviser to the Queensland Treasurer 2007-08
◾Senior Media Adviser to NSW Attorney and Minister for the Environment 2003–07
Ryan Bondar – Policy and Government Relations
◾Senior Policy Advisor NSW Leader of Opposition Barry O’Farrell 2008-2010
◾Research officer Joe Hockey 2003-2004
Michael Bradley – Director External Affairs
◾Ministerial advisor to Martin Ferguson Federal Resources and Energy Minister 2008-2010
Alexandra Gibson – Policy Director, NSW/VIC
◾Advisor to Christopher Pyne 2006-2007
Damien Hills – National Associate Director, Environment & Safety
◾Senior Policy Adviser Office of the Minister for Environment and Heritage (WA) March 2001 – February 2002
Kieran Murphy – Manager Media & Communications – Western Region
◾Communications Director Office of the Premier 2005 – 2008 (WA)
Stedman Ellis – COO,Western
◾Deputy DG, WA Department of Mines and Petroleum 2007-2010
Adam Welch – Senior Policy Adviser, Western
◾Senior Policy Officer/Policy Officer at Office of Energy – Government of Western Australia
◾Executive Office at Office of Energy – Government of Western Australia
Paul Fennelly – Chief Operating Officer, Eastern Australia
◾Director-General (CEO) of Department of State Development, Trade & Innovation-General at Queensland Government
I would like to add the exploits of Alexander Downer to Jeremy’s list.
“The director-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service and his deputy instructed a team of ASIS technicians to travel to East Timor in an elaborate plan, using Australian aid programs relating to the renovation and construction of the cabinet offices in Dili, East Timor, to insert listening devices into the wall, of walls to be constructed under an Australian aid program.”
Mr Collaery says a star witness who ASIO questioned (in December 2013) was “not some disaffected spy” but the former director of all technical operations at ASIS.
He says the former ASIS operator decided to blow the whistle after learning Mr Downer had become an adviser to Woodside Petroleum in his years after politics.
In a statement to the ABC, Mr Downer says the allegations are old and he will not comment on matters regarding national security.”
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17 comments
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roddy666 -
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Douglas Evans -
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Kyran -
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Kyran -
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Return to home pageAlso of interest may be this, a PARTIAL list of Liberal Party Donors:
Hancock Coal Pty Ltd Mining LIB-FED 22,000
Hancock Coal Pty Ltd Mining LIB-FED 22,000
QCoal Services Mining Liberal National Party of Queensland 30,750
New South Wales Minerals Council Ltd Mining Liberal Party of Australia 1,350
New South Wales Minerals Council Ltd Mining Liberal Party of Australia, NSW Division 15,800
New South Wales Minerals Council Ltd Mining National Party of Australia – N.S.W. 19,500
Straits Resources Limited Mining Liberal Party (WA Division) Inc./LIB-WA 25,000
Straits Resources Limited Mining Liberal Party Australia/LIB-FED 1,000
Straits Resources Limited Mining Liberal Party Geraldton 2,500
AGL Energy Ltd Energy Liberal National Party of Queensland 5,000
AGL Energy Ltd Energy Liberal Party of Australia (NSW Division) 13,365
Energy Australia Pty Ltd Energy Liberal Party of Australia (VIC Division) 25,000
Energy Minerals Pty Ltd Energy Liberal National Party of Queensland 95,000
ERM Power Limited Energy Liberal National Party of Queensland 17,700
Linc Energy Limited Energy Liberal National Party of Queensland 99,999
Linc Energy Limited Energy Liberal Party of Australia 20,000
Origin Energy Energy Liberal National Party – QLD 14,250
Origin Energy Energy Liberal Party of Australia – NSW Division 4,200
Origin Energy Energy Liberal Party of Australia – VIC Division 26,210
Origin Energy Energy Liberal Party of Australia – WA Division 1,500
Origin Energy Energy National Party of Australia 770
Origin Energy Energy National Party of Australia – Regional NSW 2,000
Origin Energy Energy National Party of Australia – Regonal NSW 1,000
Woodside Energy Limited Energy Liberal Party (W.A. Division) Inc. 5,500
Woodside Energy Limited Energy Liberal Party of Australia 116,500
Caltex Australia Limited Oil & Gas LNP-QLD 11,000
Caltex Australia Limited Oil & Gas LIB-FED 11,000
Caltex Australia Limited Oil & Gas LIB-NSW 150
Caltex Australia Limited Oil & Gas NAT-FED 330
Caltex Australia Limited Oil & Gas NAT-NSW 12,700
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd Oil & Gas Liberal Party (W.A. Division) Inc 8,170
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd Oil & Gas Liberal Party of Australia 20,000
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd Oil & Gas National Party (WA) Inc 750
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd Oil & Gas National Party of Australia 24,900
I am surprised by my lack of surprise at how many of those companies and their staff have found themselves mentioned in ICAC.
I will watch with interest if Baird is reinstalled in NSW, as to what happens to ICAC at that time. Maybe they/it will be gutted by the libs in the same way the CMC in Queensland was emasculated by Campbell Newman. Speaking of whom, I wonder how long before he joins the board of a miner.
The same hip that carries the wallet.
A very informative post. Although there certainly seems to be a bias towards the Coalition in the links between mining and our aged political parties. I thought it worthwhile to point out the degree of bipartisanship on display. Strong links between Labor and mining also and among Labor’s major donors – Hancock Coal, Woodside, Australian Fuel Distributors, Santos, Caltex, Tarcila Resources, CSG, Karara Mining, AGL Energy, Mineral Resources, Rusca Brothers Mining, NSW Minerals Council. Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee when it comes to digging it up and flogging it off.
Joined at the wallets too.
There is a headline in loonpond, not sure what sure paper it came from..Abbott uses RAAF jet to attend miming magnates birthday
http://loonpond.blogspot.com.au/
Quote from a visitor to US from a developing nation “In my country we call it corruption, in America you call it lobbying. But it is the same thing”.
Admittedly Craig Thompson is no angel – however, even he appears saintly compared to the conflict of interest by Team Liberal – however those born-to-rule have a very thick skin with regard to hypocrisy, in fact a tough hide is an absolute necessity.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/2015/abbotts-message-to-renewables-you-should-be-so-lucky-19300
Would like a similar expose on Labor – be good to know who is interested in whom.
Most likely history will be the final judge on these greedy little th(st)inkers – no comfort for us and our children/grandchildren.
I’ve long ago concluded that the Liberal and National parties, state and federal are absolutely corrupt. The NSW ICAC has barely touched the tip of the NSW conservatives corruption iceberg. The ALP certainly has had corrupt elements but it cannot match the depth of corruption in Liberal and National party ranks. I have lost all faith in the two party system and will never vote for either again. We are on the brink of becoming a plutocracy. If Baird gets over the line in NSW next week, then the game will be as good as over, and we will be a democracy by name only.
Ethics and morality out the window.
I heard ‘Twiggy’ this morning cautioning investors/consumers in China about their unrealistic expectation regarding low ore prices.
If memory serves, his was one of the companies targeted by the two big miners in Australia when they continued to increase production as the prices slumped. They stated they would use their lower production costs as a lever to keep the prices down and force the smaller miners out of the market.
‘Twiggy’ then became immersed in the First People’s policy narrative which ultimately recommended a greater intrusion by government agencies to handle their finances, because they were inept.
I recall hearing a news item last week where his company had not received the funding they had applied for on the terms they wanted. It appears he wanted the money just in case his business formula of production at or below the costs of production was unsustainable. His stated desire is to maintain market share while the prices are low and to return to profit when the market improves.
This morning’s narrative is a reminder to the consumers that they should pay more to keep the market competitive. All this while he continues to receive subsidies and not pay tax.
At the risk of sounding cynical, that level of double standards must auger well for his appointment to more government positions, or maybe a political career.
As for ICAC, I understand it is stalled due to an appeal being heard as to the limits of its powers. If the narrower definition is upheld, many of the enquiries already completed will be subject to review.
Yep, joined at the hip. And we will pay, don’t you worry about that. Take care
My bad, went too early with reference to ‘Twiggy’. It seems I didn’t listen to his morning’s edict as closely as the ACCC did. It seems the ACCC takes collusion and market tampering seriously.
“Rod Sims warned Mr Forrest may have breached the law with his comments on ABC’s AM program that it would be good for Australia to limit iron ore capacity and to drive the price up.”
“The law says that not only can’t you do things that are a breach of the competition provisions of the Act, but you can’t attempt to do them.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-25/accc-investigation-into-twiggy-comments/6346426
The funniest bit of the article, though, is ‘Twiggy’s’ altruistic observation.
“All of us should cap our production now and we’ll find the iron ore price will go straight back up to $70, $80, $90 and the tax revenues which that will generate will build more schools, more hospitals, more roads, more of everything which Australia needs — universities etc.”
This from a twig that boasts of his businesses not paying taxes for years past! Given his stellar performance as a businessman and advisor on First People’s age of entitlement, I thought his only two options were as a government advisor or politician. How blind of me not to see his comedic wit. The irony is that he is the only one who doesn’t see he is a joke. Regrettably, very black humour.
Well said, Kyran. Twiggy is a joke to any who have a shred of empathy for those who are not into wealth creation at all costs. However, this ‘joke’ remains a clear and present influence on too many in power. Just another rich white person who thinks he has the answers for everyone.
diannaart, regrettably, the joke doesn’t appear to have a punch line. ‘Empathy’ in Australia seems a bridge too far. An oxymoron.
I think MariaE got this one
“In my country we call it corruption, in America you call it lobbying. But it is the same thing”.
As you so well pointed out, because he’s rich and white doesn’t mean he has answers. Certainly, he won’t answer any of my questions.
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