Australian Councils on Energy and Mineral and Petroleum Resources
[ Last Updated 17 January 2006 ]
Ministerial Council on Energy
The Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE) was established by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in 2001 to deliver the economic and environmental benefits for Australia from implementation of the COAG national energy policy framework.
The MCE is the national policy and governance body for the Australian energy market, including for electricity and gas, as outlined in the COAG Australian Energy Market Agreement (AEMA) of 30 June 2004.
The Council's objectives, as agreed by COAG are:
- To provide national oversight and coordination of policy development to address the opportunities and challenges facing Australia's energy sector into the future.
- To provide national leadership so that consideration of broader convergence issues and environmental impacts are effectively integrated into energy sector decision-making.
The Council comprises Ministers with responsibility for energy from the Australian Government and all States and Territories (current membership list [link to MCE website]).
The New Zealand Minister of Energy has full membership and voting rights when Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement issues are being considered. Otherwise, like the Papua New Guinean Minister for Petroleum and Energy, New Zealand has observer status on the Council.
Ministerial Council on Mineral and Petroleum Resources
The Ministerial Council on Mineral and Petroleum Resources (MCMPR) was established by the Council of Australian Governments in June 2001 to subsume the minerals and upstream petroleum component of the former Australian and New Zealand Minerals and Energy Council (ANZMEC).
The Ministerial Council consists of the Commonwealth Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources and State and Territory Ministers with responsibility for minerals and petroleum. The New Zealand Minister of Energy and the Papua New Guinean Minister for Mining and the Minister for Petroleum and Energy have observer status.
Mission Statement
MCMPR's mission [link to ISR website] is to contribute to the national wellbeing by promoting the progressive and sustainable development of the Australian mining, minerals and petroleum industry. The Council's objectives include:
- progressing constructive and compatible changes to the basic legislative and policy framework for the sustainable development of minerals and petroleum resources, including influencing the direction of climate change response measures;
- facilitating economically competitive development of the minerals and petroleum industries;
- improving coordination and, where appropriate, the consistency of policy regimes;
- encouraging new and expanded investment in competitive minerals and petroleum development opportunities; and
- providing an opportunity for information and policy exchange.
The Council will deal with issues under three broad strategic priorities: Competitiveness; Sustainability; and Indigenous Reconciliation. The first two categories will address issues impacting on the mineral and petroleum sectors' operational capabilities, investment, resource processing, land access, safety and impact on the environment. The Indigenous Reconciliation category focuses on the importance of working effectively with indigenous communities, addressing indigenous disadvantages, and promoting economic independence.
Vision
The Council has also adopted a long term, strategic vision [link to ISR website] for Australia's minerals and petroleum industries.
MCMPR Ministers meet annually with on-going issues dealt with out of session. The Ministerial Council is supported by a Standing Committee of Officials (SCO) which meets one or more times during the year.
MCMPR's sister council, the Ministerial Council on Energy, was created at the same time with an agenda to further pursue energy market reform and develop and overall energy policy strategy.
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