First of all, I should like to thank you for the opportunity to be with you tonight and to congratulate the Kalgoorlie and Perth branches of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy in initiating this most important Conference._x000D_
It could not have been better timed._x000D_
Gold is riding a crest of the wave, leading the resurgence in the State's mining industry._x000D_
The strong and stable economic policies which have been pursued both by the Burke Labour Government in this State and by the Hawke Government in Canberra, whilst they have of course only been part of the reason for the strong recovery in the mining industry - a l o t of it being due t o international factors - have certainly assisted and ensured that the mining industry in this state has been able to take full advantage of the changed world situation.