Resources Minister Keith Pitt says the Labor Party do not know whether they are “Arthur or Martha” in terms of mining policy, and are having “absolute conniptions” on the issue.
Labor frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon is among around 20 Labor MPs who believe in greater support for Australia’s mining sector.
Mr Pitt said he congratulates Mr Fitzgibbon for “standing up to the factions inside the Labor Party” on the issue and said although there is “no seat for the opposition leader,” he would be happy to go and brief the group.
He told Sky News host Peter Gleeson he is “pro resources, because it’s an important part of [Australia’s] economy,” and as minister for resources he will “continue to try and expand” the sector.
