Media Releases

US BACKS AUSTRALIAN MINING WITH $566M INVESTMENT, BUT WHERE WAS LABOR?

Australia has lost the opportunity to secure national support for a regional New South Wales site with massive critical mineral potential, leaving the US to seize the day with a $566 million investment.
Shadow Minister for Resources Senator Susan McDonald and Shadow Assistant Minister for Resources and Federal Member for Parkes, Jamie Chaffey MP, today said the Labor Government had been asleep at the wheel, forcing Australian miners to seek international investment.

Tuesday, 11 August 2026

COALITION: WA GAS PROJECT MUST GET FEDERAL FAST-TRACK FOR OUR ENERGY SECURITY

The Western Australian Government’s announcement that the Browse LNG project in WA would be declared a “State Significant Project” is a welcome acknowledgement of the critical need for more new gas developments in Australia, however a damning indictment of the approvals mess that the Federal Labor Government has created.

Tuesday, 28 July 2026

SUPPORT FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY MINE TRAGEDY

I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident at BMA’s Peak Downs mine this morning, which has claimed the life of one worker and left another seriously injured.

Friday, 24 July 2026

NOW HIRING

The office of Senator Susan McDonald is seeking applications for a full-time ongoing Assistant Digital Media and Communications Adviser (EOB), based in the Townsville, QLD.

Friday, 24 July 2026

COALITION TO MAKE NAIF PERMANENT

The Coalition has announced it will make the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) a permanent institution after the Labor Government committed to only a 10-year extension.

Tuesday, 30 June 2026

QUEENSLAND THE BIGGEST LOSER IN LABOR’S DISASTER FUNDING CUTS

Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald has condemned the Albanese Government’s proposed changes to disaster recovery funding, warning the move will leave regional Queensland communities worse off when the next natural disaster strikes.

Tuesday, 9 June 2026

LABOR ABANDONS FLOOD-RAVAGED NORTH QUEENSLAND

Shadow Minister for Northern Australia and Resources, Senator Susan McDonald has slammed the Albanese Government for turning its back on flood-ravaged North and North West Queensland producers by refusing to support a restocking allowance following devastating floods.

Monday, 18 May 2026

SUGAR REVIEW MUST PUT FARMERS FIRST

The Coalition has urged an upcoming review of Australia’s Sugar Code of Conduct to strengthen protections for cane growers across North Queensland.

Friday, 15 May 2026

LABOR FOLLOWING, NOT LEADING ON GAS

Shadow Resources and Northern Australia Minister Susan McDonald said regional communities will stand to lose as Labor commands Queensland companies to export gas to failing southern states – and miss out on royalty payments as a result.

Monday, 11 May 2026

OPINION – ACTIVISTS AIM TO HURT AUSTRALIA

After two days of hearings into the Senate Select Committee on the Taxation of Gas Resources, one thing is abundantly clear: this inquiry is not about getting a fair return for Australians, it is about shutting down the gas industry altogether.

Friday, 24 April 2026

GREENS-LED INQUIRY EXPOSES AGENDA TO SHUT DOWN AUSTRALIAN GAS

Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Susan McDonald, says hearings this week into the Senate Select Committee on the Taxation of Gas Resources have revealed a coordinated campaign by the Greens and Independents, supported by Labor, to shut down Australia’s gas industry.

Friday, 24 April 2026

OPINION – “DARK MONEY” WEAKENS AUSTRALIA

Mining doesn’t just support the Australian economy, it is the economy.
But numerous forces are arrayed against this important industry. Forces who receive foreign donations from sources they refuse to reveal.

Friday, 17 April 2026

LABOR’S RETROSPECTIVE TAX GRAB RISKS 3 MILLION JOBS

The Albanese Government’s plan to impose a retrospective tax on foreign investment dating back nearly two decades is a reckless cash grab that threatens millions of Australian jobs and damages the nation’s global reputation as a safe place to invest.

Thursday, 16 April 2026

GOVERNMENT SLEEPWALKING TOWARDS FUEL SUPPLY CRUNCH

Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald, is calling on the Albanese Government to level with Australians about its fuel strategy as farmers and businesses struggle to pay costs and stay afloat.

Wednesday, 8 April 2026

LABOR BUNGLING LEADS TO YET ANOTHER WINTER GAS RISK

Shadow Minister for Resources and for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald, has warned Australia is heading towards a preventable winter gas squeeze, following the latest ACCC gas inquiry which confirms tightening supply across the east coast.

Thursday, 2 April 2026

GOVERNMENT MUST PULL ALL LEVERS FOR PERDAMAN

Shadow Minister for Resources and for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald, has called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy all available levers to fast-track the Perdaman urea plant and prevent a catastrophic failure of Australia’s food production sector.

Wednesday, 1 April 2026

2026 AUSTRALIAN DOMESTIC GAS OUTLOOK SPEECH, SYDNEY

Whilst there remain many challenges facing Australia and our energy mix, there is still hope on the horizon. As I have said, I have faith in the Australian spirit.
We have the best resources in the world. We have the ingenuity, the drive, and the knowledge to maximise them.
We should not be energy-reliant, but energy-independent. We should not be in the position that we are in – today – ever again. We should be pulling every lever available to us: coal, gas, uranium, oil – and we can do that by drilling and digging what we have in abundance here.

Wednesday, 1 April 2026

COALITION BACKS “FUEL FROM COAL” PLAN

In its groundbreaking new report All at Sea: Fuel, War, and Australia’s Achilles’ Heel, the Page Research Centre has outlined a pathway to restoring Australia’s self-sustainability, including incentivising domestic oil drilling, expanding fuel reserves as supply bridges, establishing a dedicated fuel security budget and approving coal-to-liquid pilot plants.

Monday, 30 March 2026

LABOR STILL NOT DELIVERING THE GAS THAT’S NEEDED

Today’s latest Gas Statement of Opportunity Outlook from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) paints a sobering picture about the urgent need to invest in gas in the country, while the Middle East conflict continues to put pressure on global energy supply.

Thursday, 26 March 2026

SPEECH TO MINERALS WEEK CONFERENCE, CANBERRA – RE-ENERGISING THE FUTURE

Mining pays the bills for Australia. These words remain as true today as when I made the same statement two years ago, when we last gathered for Minerals Week, and as true as 100 years ago.
The copper fields of Cloncurry to the development of coal in Queensland transformed my state from an agrarian economy – and cheap electricity (as well as the removal of death duties) turbo-charged the state into a powerhouse of small businesses, manufacturing, tourism and the arts.

Wednesday, 25 March 2026

LABOR’S NEW GAS AND COAL TAX RISKS JOBS

Reports that the Albanese Government is considering a new levy on Australia’s gas and coal exports should alarm every Australian household and business already struggling under Labor’s economic mismanagement.

Friday, 20 March 2026

ACTIVISTS UNDERMINE FOOD SECURITY

Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald has taken aim at anti-gas activists as Australia’s food-growing industry is just weeks away from a fertiliser crisis.

Thursday, 19 March 2026

FUEL CRISIS A LESSON IN GROSS MISMANAGEMENT

Shadow Minister for Resources, Senator Susan McDonald has demanded immediate action after reports the Federal Government’s emergency fuel release doesn’t include diesel as fishing trawlers, road freight and mining operations struggle to operate.

Friday, 13 March 2026

TIME FOR RENEWED FOCUS ON NORTHERN AUSTRALIA SECURITY

I am honoured to have been reappointed to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Resources and Shadow Minister for Northern Australia. These portfolios go to the very heart of our national prosperity, and nowhere is that more evident than in Northern Australia. The Coalition under Angus Taylor wants to restore our falling standard of living and protect our way of life.

Thursday, 26 February 2026

REAPPOINTMENT TO SHADOW CABINET

I am pleased to have been reappointed to the Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Minister for Resources and Shadow Minister for Northern Australia by the Leader of the Opposition, Angus Taylor, and Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud.

Tuesday, 17 February 2026

QUEENSLAND OPEN FOR BUSINESS WITH NEW OIL AND GAS

The Crisafulli Queensland Government’s announcement to unlock new oil and gas tenure in the Taroom trough is a win for Queensland businesses and households who want affordable, reliable, secure energy.

Wednesday, 11 February 2026

RESIGNATION FROM SHADOW CABINET

Today, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has accepted my offer of resignation from her Shadow Cabinet.

Wednesday, 21 January 2026

PRIME MINISTER MUST RELAX FLOOD RECOVERY RULES

Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald and Shadow Emergency Management Minister, Senator Ross Cadell have urged the Albanese Labor Government to follow the North West Queensland flood response blueprint laid out by the Coalition after similar floods in 2019.

Tuesday, 6 January 2026

LABOR’S GAS RESERVATION LIGHT ON DETAIL, IGNORES ROOT CAUSES OF GAS MARKET FAILURES

The Albanese Government has been dragged kicking and screaming into finally realising the urgent need to secure Australian gas for Australians, yet have provided no detail as to how they will support new gas investments, new gas infrastructure, or remove their failed interventions.

Monday, 22 December 2025

CHEAPER, BETTER, FAIRER ENERGY PLAN FOR NORTH QUEENSLAND

North Queensland-based Senator, Susan McDonald says “enough is enough” after listening to people and businesses struggling to afford power prices due to Labor’s aggressive net zero policies.

Sunday, 2 November 2025

Connect with Susan

Follow Susan on Facebook

Watch Susan on Youtube

Have your say

Get in Touch

Quick Links:

30 Second Survey

Small Business Survey

Useful Websites

Request a Flag

Request a Congratulatory Message

Connect With Susan