Gray, a senior Labor party member in resource-rich Western Australia, needs to ensure that there is continued support for the resources industry as investment in the sector slows following the peak of the mining boom. Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced that the Climate Change Department, responsible for implementing a controversial carbon tax, will be merged with the Industry Department and overseen by Climate Change Minister Greg Combet. However, no changes were made to the important Treasury or Finance Ministry positions held by Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan and Penny Wong. The reshuffle was prompted by a failed leadership challenge by supporters of former leader Kevin Rudd, leading to the resignation of three cabinet ministers and two junior ministers. Gillard has called for elections on September 14, which polls suggest she is likely to lose, limiting the impact of the reshuffle. Former Resources Minister Martin Ferguson, known for his support of the mining industry in Gillard's cabinet, was among those who resigned. The Australian mining sector has seen significant investment over the last decade, with around A$400 billion in resources projects and an additional A$200 billion in liquefied natural gas projects. However, the industry's growth is slowing down. The Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) believes that Gray, a former Labor party member who has worked in the industry, will be able to attract further investment to the sector. Gray joined the Labor party in 1974 but left in 2000 to work for Wesfarmers and later as a public relations adviser for Woodside Petroleum. Shell eventually pulled out of the bid after it was considered detrimental to the national interest by Treasurer Peter Costello at the time, partially due to Gray's efforts to rally public opinion against Shell.