2026 Pre Election Priorities
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Member Consultation
SACOME conducted consultation with member companies in October 2025 to consolidate priority issues for advocacy during the 2026 South Australian election period. Development of a Resources Sector Roadmap The following four election priorities are presented as enablers of an overarching Resources Sector Roadmap, comprising activities required to meet sector development, energy transition and industrial transformation goals. SACOME submits that development of a Resources Sector Roadmap for South Australia as a strategic policy, planning and implementation measure should be a priority action and seeks commitments from political representatives accordingly. Click on cover image to see full publication. |
Preparing for a once-in-a-generation shift driven by policy impetusThe South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) is the leading industry body representing companies with interests in the South Australian minerals, energy, extractive, oil and gas sectors and associated service providers.
SACOME is fully member-funded and is proud to advocate for the South Australian resources sector with true independence. The importance of the South Australian resources sector to has been quantified though SACOME’s most recent 2023/24 Economic Contribution Study, which found that 18 member companies contributed $9.5 billion in direct and indirect spending to South Australia’s economy, equivalent to 6.4% of Gross State Product, or one dollar in every fifteen. SACOME’s 2026 Pre-Election priorities are informed by close consultation with member companies and set out the bipartisan policy commitments sought by SACOME members from political stakeholders over the next electoral term. The 2026 South Australian election occurs at a time of major change as the economy and the industrial base undergoes a once-in-a-generation shift driven by a policy impetus to decarbonise, expand critical minerals and metals supply, and grow value-added refining and value-added activity. A shift to a more interventionist policy footing by the South Australian and Australian Governments represents a response to global supply chain pressure, growing geopolitical competition and a desire to capture the economic benefits of emerging industries. The Australian Government’s Future Made In Australia policy aims to encourage and facilitate private sector investment to drive the industrial and energy transition process, supported by a $22.7 billion investment of public funding. The South Australian Government’s suite of policy measures including the State Prosperity Project, Green Iron & Steel Strategy, Northern Water Project and Whyalla Steelworks Industrial Transformation share a similarly ambitious scope and alignment with the national policy framework. The scope and complexity of this industrialisation agenda require planning, sequencing and ongoing dialogue, with the resources sector being a key partner in delivery of these objectives. SACOME continues to advocate for measures that resolve hurdles to investment in South Australian resources projects, which are principally energy, water supply and a path to market. We reiterate the importance of consistent, concerted effort to realising the growth of the resources sector and transformation of the state’s economy. This isconsistent with the shared vision of SACOME’s member companies and government for the accelerated advancement of the South Australian resources sector, attracting investment and delivering sustainable economic prosperity for SACOME’s members and the state. SACOME’s 2026 Election Priorities represent key enablers of an overarching Resources Sector Roadmap, comprising the activities that SACOME members have identified as necessary to meet sector development, energy transition and industrial transformation goals. These are:
SACOME advances a focused set of election priorities that maintain the momentum of sector development through building on past effort; and which leverage the alignment between the South Australian and Australian Government’s to grow new opportunities. SACOME emphasises that partnering with the Australian Government to leverage funding opportunities must continue be a focus for the South Australian Government, recognising the important role that state governments play in advocating for a share of national investment and supporting business case development. SACOME and its member companies remain committed to working with all stakeholders for the continued development of the South Australian resources sector and the economic, social and environmental benefit of the state. |
A Resources Sector Roadmap - Key Enablers
1. Energy, Reliability & Affordability
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