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Stable, predictable and internationally competitive government policy is needed to secure continuing investment in Australia's multi-billion-dollar resources sector, an international expert will tell a Port Hedland Leaders' Luncheon for mining, business and community leaders hosted by The University of Western Australia today.

UWA Business School's BHP Billiton Chair in the Business of Resources, Winthrop Professor Peter Hartley, will discuss the implications of his extensive research into the resources industry as part of this week's UWA Gives Back Pilbara Tour, presented by the UWA Business School during the University's 2013 Centenary Year.

With a Federal election due this year and $100 billion in future private investment committed to the Pilbara region, Professor Hartley says government policy must recognise the unique challenges faced by the resources industry.

"These industries require huge amounts of capital investment, operate on very long time horizons and are very risky," he said.

"It's really important that you have stable government policy so that business can make major investments with confidence.

"If governments take away all the profits in the boom time, firms will not invest next time around."

Professor Hartley, immediate past President of the US Association for Energy Economics, will discuss factors causing boom and bust cycles in the resources sector, including the enormous scale of new projects, international economic conditions and their sensitivity to business cycles.

The July 1-5 UWA Gives Back Pilbara Tour also features high school visits by UWA experts, student and graduates to encourage students to consider tertiary studies. The Tour is supported by BHP Billiton, Woodside and Resource Capital Funds.

Media references

Verity Chia (UWA Business School)  (+61 8)  6488 1346
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783