Former Howard government minister Helen Coonan has been appointed chair of the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), as the lobby group recasts its political relationships in the wake of Scott Morrison's surprise election victory.
Ms Coonan's appointment, replacing outgoing chair and ABC director Vanessa Guthrie, makes her the first chair from outside the resources industry and comes after major players, including BHP and Rio Tinto, have over recent years threatened to quit the council over its pro-coal advocacy.
Ms Coonan — also an independent director at Crown Entertainment and chair of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority — was endorsed as the MCA's chair shortly before Labor's unexpected election loss.
The ABC understands the outlook for a Labor victory and the ability to open doors in Canberra were critical factors in the selection process.
In comments that will be welcomed by Adani and other miners, Ms Coonan said one of her key priorities would be to speed up approvals of mine projects.
''If Australia is to stay in front of its global competitors in an increasingly competitive world, we must continue to push for faster project approvals, greater sustainability and reforms in a whole range of policy areas,'' Ms Coonan said in a statement.
The former lawyer, communications minister and assistant treasurer under John Howard is well connected in Canberra at a time when mining companies Adani and New Hope have spent years lobbying for coal mine approvals in Queensland.
"I am honoured to be appointed chair of the MCA at such a great time for our world-leading Australian minerals industry," Ms Coonan said.
'The MCA is widely respected throughout Australia and the world for its strong and effective advocacy for our industry, its outstanding workforce and our regional communities."
Ms Coonan will become the MCA's major voice, in addition to chief executive Tania Constable, having used her farewell parliamentary speech in 2011 to defend criticisms of the coal seam gas industry.
Unlike Ms Coonan, outgoing MCA chair Vanessa Guthrie comes from within the resources industry and is the former managing director of Toro Energy and a current non-executive director at Santos.
Ms Coonan's appointment comes as mining giants like BHP and Glencore reconsider their investments in thermal coal projects given the bleak outlook for the market and greater investor activism for better disclosure about fossil fuel exposure.
