Tuesday, 22 September 2026

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for Environment, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:27): Today I rise to update the house on the release of the 2026 Victorian Critical Minerals Roadmap update. Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Southern Cross Gold, a great local company based out of Kilmore, to mark the opening of their Sunday Creek exploration decline, the first new underground mining decline developed in Victoria in 20 years. Underground drilling has started; it is all about testing the feasibility of mining in the area, and it is the first major step towards establishing a new antimony and gold mine. The project already employs around a hundred local people and, if it progresses, could support around 500 jobs. This will in turn contribute more than $5.5 billion to Victoria’s economy over just the first decade.

The opening comes as Victoria builds momentum across its critical minerals sector, turning growing interest into investment and new projects. A fully developed critical minerals sector could create more than 7000 jobs across Victoria over the next 10 years, of course with major opportunities in regional Victoria. The Sunday Creek project provides a real-world example of how the Labor government is working to support the state’s critical minerals industry by enabling responsible exploration and building future supply chain opportunities. Through our updated critical minerals road map we are helping to unlock the state’s resource potential in a way that creates jobs and attracts investment whilst maintaining the high standards that the community expects.

Regional growth starts with jobs, and Victoria is open for business for responsible minerals developments. We will continue to support this project and others that evolve in the coming years. It is only Labor that will guarantee secure local jobs for working people and back projects that could deliver billions of dollars for Victoria.