Speech at 2026 BHP Women in Resources National Awards

I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation, and pay my respects to elders past and present.

At an event celebrating our resources sector, it is important to recognise that Australia’s First Nations peoples were the first miners, mappers and navigators of this vast continent.

I acknowledge:

• Victorian Minister for Energy and Resources, Climate Action, Environment and State Electricity Commission, the Hon Jaclyn Symes MP
• Victorian Shadow Minister for Resources, Energy and Emissions Reduction and Arts and Creative Industries, the Hon David Davis MP
• Victorian Shadow Minister for Women, the Prevention of Family Violence, WorkSafe and TAC, Cindy McLeish
• Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters MP, and
• State Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland.

Can I also acknowledge:

• Tania Constable PSM – Chief Executive Officer, Minerals Council of Australia
• Geraldine Slattery – President Australia, BHP
• Matthew Holcz – Chief Executive Iron Ore, Rio Tinto
• Matt Daley – Chief Executive Officer, South32
• Dr Vanessa Torres – Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Perenti
• Ivan Vella – Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IGO Limited, and
• Michael Wright – Executive Chair & Chief Executive Officer, Thiess.

Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to speak to you tonight.

A big thanks in particular to the Minerals Council of Australia for hosting this event, and to BHP as the principal sponsor of the awards. 

It’s great to be back in Victoria. Where gold mining began in Australia.

On a night when we are celebrating the achievements of women in resources, it is remarkable to think that it was 175 years ago, that Margaret Kennedy and Julia Farrell first discovered alluvial gold in Bendigo. 

The riches below what is now known as Golden Square came to change the trajectory of this country, bringing with it a literal golden age of prosperity and multiculturism to Victoria and to ‘Marvellous Melbourne’, as it was first called way back in 1885.

And it remains marvellous today.

It is fair to say that between Victoria and my home state of Western Australia, we have differences of opinion on a few matters … is it devon or polony? a milk bar or a deli? potato scallops or cakes or a fritter? And then there is the GST…

But our histories are linked. They are inextricably linked because of mining. And the drive of pioneers and prospectors and workers to do more, to have a go, and work for a better future for their families.   

There are many stories of those that came from around the world to join in the great Victorian gold rush – in Ballarat and Bendigo in the 1850s. 

Indeed, in Bendigo the gold rush never ended, and even today, the local gold mines are looking to expand.

Many that had been part of the Victorian goldrush choose the long journey from southern Victoria to try their luck in Kalgoorlie. A continent and over 2500 kilometres away. 

My great-great grandfather, Eli Pizer, was one of many that packed up their lives and the lives of their families, took the slow boat to Albany, and then with his four sons, travelled on horse and cart to Kalgoorlie. 

I find it impossible to imagine such a journey. Yet so many people, like the Pizers, did make that journey, and they are the pioneers of the WA resources sector. 

It was the influx of Victorians from Bendigo and Ballarat into Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie that lead directly to Western Australia supporting the referendum on the Australian Federation in 1900 and then becoming a part of it. That decision, made in the 1900 referendum, must surely be one of the most consequential in the history of our Commonwealth. 

This same influx of Victorians to Western Australia also lead directly to WA being an Aussie rules footy state. 

So we have so many things to thank the resources sector for. Not only our national prosperity. But also the Federation. And Aussie Rules footy from east to west. 

Of course this week, the influx is reversed. And the sandgropers are on their way over the Nullarbor to the MCG.  I am hoping Victorians will get in behind the Fremantle Football Club this week, because there is one thing we – and the South Australians – can agree on: Aussie rules football is the best game in the world. Go Freo.

WOMEN IN RESOURCES

It is a privilege to be here this evening among so many influential women.

It is a delight to join with all of you to celebrate the 13th year Women in Resources National Awards.

This annual celebration shines a spotlight on the diverse talents and achievements of women in our sector, while encouraging more women to consider careers in resources.

I have attended a number of these events now and every year I am really pleased to see more and more women working in and leading the resources industry. 

When we think back to the first gold discovery in Bendigo, 175 years ago, Mrs Margaret Kennedy and Mrs Julia Farrell could not imagine what has been achieved.

I am very proud to be the first woman to be your federal resources minister. 

And here in Victoria, the resources and energy minister, Jaclyn Symes, joins Courtney Houssos in NSW in holding the important resources portfolio in their respective governments. So important because so much of the prosperity of our most populous states depend on the work Jaclyn and Courtney do.

We been privileged to have incredible people like Amanda Lacaze blazing a trail in rare earths with Lynas, and now Chair of the Minerals Council. Together with Tania Constable, they provide exceptional leadership to the resources sector. 

Geraldine Slattery as President of BHP Australia continues to excel, growing the opportunities for growth of the Big Australian.  

And Jessica Farrell who has gone on to be BHP’s President of North America. 

Our largest gas company is run by a woman, Liz Westcott.

Natascha Viljoen is CEO of Newmont.

Elsabe Muller, President of Alcoa Australia 

And Gina Rinehart as Executive Chair of Hancock Prospecting.

One of the most significant transactions in resources in Australia, has been overseen by Rowena Smith – as CEO and Managing Director of Australian Strategic Materials, Rowena has shepherded the important acquisition of ASM by Energy Fuels – strengthening western rare earths supply chains.

There are many, many more achievements of women working in resources and that is what we are celebrating tonight. 

The face of our resources sector is changing.  

Changing for the better.

As more women take on leadership roles, the more women and girls at school and university will see the resources sector as a career path. 

Women make up just over 20 per cent of the resource sector’s national workforce.

That’s 68,000 women working in the sector – with most of them working full-time.

But we still have work to do. 

That’s why nights like tonight are so important.

Six awards will be presented this evening.

These awards help promote inclusion and diversity – and the resources sector as an industry of choice for women. 

They highlight the rewarding careers women are forging in the resources industry.

And again, recognising these achievements – shouting them from the rooftops - helps us attract more talented women to the sector.  

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all tonight’s finalists, and to pay tribute to their outstanding contribution to the sector. 

The resources sector needs new skills and talent.

But to attract that talent – to attract more female talent - the health and safety of all workers in the resources sector must be paramount.

Every employee must have the right to be treated respectfully, equally and free from harassment. 

I want to acknowledge the important contribution the Minerals Council of Australia has made in this area.

The MCA advocates for respectful workplaces, and skilled, productive and flexible workforces that enjoy a modern workplace relations system.

By supporting these awards, I know BHP hopes to inspire the next generation of female leaders and role models, and to showcase the diverse and rewarding opportunities that the resources sector offers.

You have heard the Albanese Government talk a lot about skills and skills shortages recently. 

The best way of filling skills shortages is by ensuring we are maximising the potential of our entire workforce. 

Capturing a larger talent pool will give the sector access to the full wealth of skills from across Australia and the globe.

Change is underway. It is unstoppable. 

The influx of women into the resources sector is changing it for the better at every level. 

Big changes and small. 

It’s now possible to get PPE clothing in women’s sizes. Women no longer have to take men’s work gear home for a bit of sewing or trimming to make things fit properly as they used to. 

And protective boots are now made for women’s feet.  

But more women on site is not just good news for women. 

It’s good news for men. 

The changing face of the workforce means we are redesigning the ergonomics of basic equipment and automating things that were once done by hand. 

That saves the bodies of both men and women. 

Cleaning the waste around a conveyer belt was once done with shovels. Now we use bobcats. 

Conveyer belts were once aligned manually. Now it’s done by machines.

Other advancements have benefitted men as well as women. Resources companies led the way on generous parental leave schemes. This now benefits men and women.

As mining becomes less about manual labour and more about operating sophisticated machinery, monitoring systems, and managing mechanised processes, the opportunities for women will only grow further. 

I want to see this trend continue. More women in leadership roles. 

More women and girls looking to training and courses to get into mining. More women at every level of resources operations.

Thank you and, again, congratulations to all the nominees and award recipients.