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Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for the invitation to address this annual Cement Industry function.
A sustainable cement industry is pivotal to our community and economy.
The Australian Government acted decisively during the global financial crisis, preventing our economy from falling into recession along with the other advanced economies across the world.
The Australian Government's economic stimulus plan has pumped billions of dollars into new infrastructure, and cement is vital to almost all this investment.
New roads, bridges, railways, dams, wharves and airports secure the jobs we need today, and provide Australia with the infrastructure we need for decades to come.
I applaud the Federation's efforts to help policymakers and regulators understand the essential role of the cement industry in the development and growth of our nation as well as the steps taken by the industry to improve the sustainability of its operation.
The fact sheet, which I'm officially launching tonight, shows that over the last 20 years members have cut fuel and power use by 35 per cent and 15 per cent respectively, while increasing production by millions of tonnes.
The cement industry has traditionally been a 'technology taker', applying techniques devised elsewhere.
But there has been a fundamental shift in the industry's approach, from following-the-leader to being a leader in cement-related innovation.
Adelaide Brighton is an example of an innovative, industry-led project.
The Birkenhead Plant was reliant on natural gas before moving to alternative fuels, a fundamental change driven by the management and Board of Adelaide Brighton.
Birkenhead's use of demolition wood as an alternative fuel means the 75,000 tonnes available in South Australia no longer needs to end up as landfill.
Consultation with the community and environmental regulators ensured that burning demolition timber was not only safe, but garnered the approval of residents.
Let me give some examples where the Australian Government has worked with industry on innovative projects through the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate.
The first is the Devour X trial at Bulwer Island, using new aero-acoustics technology to grind raw materials for cement.
This revolutionary technology uses far less power than conventional processes and requires less infrastructure.
The bio-solids project at Werribee and Waurn Ponds is testing new ways to process and re-use solid waste from water treatment plants, providing a clean fuel source.
This is a local solution to a global problem - what to do with human waste - and how to deal with the harmful contaminants in that waste.
Through the work of the Cement Industry Federation and its members, we have an excellent trifecta with these innovative technologies: it's good for the industry, good for the environment and good for the economy.
Moreover, cement will soon feature in Australia's carbon reduction efforts in the coal industry.
Last month, Victoria's Minister for Resources and Energy and I each announced $3.5 million for the Calera mineral carbonation project in Victoria.
The project uses Calera's innovative technology to treat CO2 captured from the Yallourn brown coal power station.
This technology converts, rather than stores, CO2 to make solid calcium and magnesium carbonate and bicarbonate minerals that can be used as valuable building materials.
The cement produced from the Calera processes also reduces CO2 emissions in contrast to traditional cement manufacturing that produces very high CO2 emissions.
Boral and Calera are moving this technology forward, bringing together government funds with overseas technology and local expertise.
It's a good example of how the cement sector is adapting to the changing technological and economic environment.
Tonight, the Cement Industry Federation farewells Robyn Bain as its CEO.
Robyn Bain has been a friend of many on both sides of the political divide and made an outstanding contribution to public policy and politics over many years.
I want to congratulate Robyn for all her good work at the CIF:
- Promoting and raising the profile of the industry with government;
- Driving industry's involvement in activities such as the Asia Pacific Partnership;
- Working with my Department to overcome roadblocks facing the industry; and
- Encouraging sustainability.
My good wishes also go to the incoming CEO, Margie Thompson.
Margie brings a breadth of experience in public-private relationships, as an industry representative on ministerial boards and as a senior public servant.
Among other important issues, Margie has been dealing with global challenges, leadership and learning, and indigenous development.
In all, good experience for this crucial industry, and I wish both Robyn and Margie every success.
Thank you.