The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism is responsible for developing and maintaining government policies and programs for the resources, energy and tourism industries. Key objectives of the Department include: achieving strong economic growth; resilient and secure energy systems; equitable distribution of the benefits of Australia's energy, resources and tourism industries; and actively participating in a whole of government approach to domestic and international environmental policy.
Key Priorities
The Department is the key advisor to government on policy options for Australia's resources, energy and tourism industries. The key priorities for the Department include to:
- secure reliable and affordable energy supplies, including appropriate legislative and regulatory frameworks
- provide an integrated picture of supply and demand of electricity, gas and liquid fuels for the next five, ten and fifteen years, through the National Energy Security Assessment
- develop a National Energy White Paper that addresses the long term challenge of ensuring Australia's resources and energy security
- achieve a national energy market framework as part of the Energy Market Reform, including economic regulation, electricity transmission and distribution, gas markets and user participation
- finalise the introduction of the National Gas Law, which will establish a new national regime for gas access and other gas market development initiatives, to enhance the transparency of the gas market
- establish a National Transmission Planning function within the Australian Energy Market Operator
- support the Minister in representing the commonwealth as a shareholder of Snowy Hydro Corporation;
- implement the National Clean Coal Initiative, supported by a national clean coal fund, including: coordinating the development and deployment of clean coal technologies out to 2030 through a national research program, a national carbon mapping and infrastructure plan and support for the demonstration of low emission technologies
- implement and set clear policy and guidelines for the National Clean Coal Fund, the Renewable Energy Fund and the Energy Innovation Fund;
- develop and implement a regulatory regime for CO2 capture and storage in offshore Australia
- build on current petroleum and minerals exploration and development activities to address the most effective ways to secure Australia's resource and energy security and the important role oil and gas will play in the future. In particular the stimulation of greater levels of frontier petroleum exploration investment to secure the next major oil discovery
- work with East Timor to develop oil and gas in the Joint Petroleum Development Area
- address the future permanent management and storage of Australia's radioactive waste through the Commonwealth Radioactive Waste Management facility
- examine issues surrounding long term gas supplies and facilitate domestic gas developments, whilst encouraging the continued development of Australian liquefied natural gas developments
To facilitate growth in domestic and international tourism, considering the environmental impacts of that growth, continue to promote Australia's tourism interests in international forums - create employment opportunities, development programs and training in industry sectors for neighbouring communities, particularly Australia's Indigenous people.
Corporate Documents
Organisational Structure
The Organisational Chart details the branch structure of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and associated portfolio agencies as at July 2012.