Federal Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt has enjoyed a tour of the North West as a guest of Senator Susan McDonald.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Pitt visited Glencore Mount Isa Mines which he said was a bit of a flashback.
"I'm an electrician by trade. I came through the heavy industry and workshops and it was good to talk to some of the apprentices there," Mr Pitt said.
"I also went to Cloncurry where I got lobbied by the Mayor and others on the Inland Port proposal and another tourism venture."
Mr Pitt said the resources and agriculture sector were critical to Australian growth prospects.
"They do need lower power prices, they do need competitive gas prices," he said.
When asked whether the federal government would support CopperString 2.0 via the Northern Infrastructure Fund, Mr Pitt said Energy Minister Angus Taylor was looking at it.
"CopperString has had a number of meetings with the NAIF, which is a loan facility," he said.
"I know Angus (Taylor) is looking closely at what we can do federally to support things like CopperString."
As for concerns for the long-term future of copper smelter, Mr Pitt said there were a number of discussions with Glencore.
"We know there is a re-brick due and we know how important that is to the local population, 3000 jobs, it's the cornerstone of your economy," he said.
"All levels of government need to be involved."
READ ALSO: Teenager killed in Charters Towers crash
While you are here, subscribe to our weekly email delivered to your inbox every Tuesday and Friday.