A fair and balanced royalty system will ensure the resources sector can support Queensland for decades to come

Click here for photo of QRC Chief Executive Officer, Janette Hewson

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Click here for Keep Qld Competitive Ad

The voices of everyday Queenslanders that could feel the damaging impacts of the world’s highest coal royalty tax will be heard loud and clear in the lead up to the October 26 State Election.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) says the latest round of advertisements in its Keep Queensland Competitive Campaign will feature prominently in broadcast, digital and social media.

QRC Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson said it was important the coal royalty issue was part of the public discussion in the lead-up to the election.

“Once again we have real Queenslanders including farmers, an apprentice, a Publican, business owners, an Electrical Engineer and retail workers from Mackay, Charters Towers, Clermont and Moranbah expressing their genuine concerns about the impact of the world’s highest coal royalty tax on local jobs and livelihoods,” Ms Hewson said.

“A strong resources sector in Queensland relies on continued investment to deliver the new projects that will create the jobs and economic opportunities, particularly in regional areas.

“Our message to all political parties in this election is that policy uncertainty created by the sudden change to coal royalties is a significant deterrent to attracting investment and makes Queensland uncompetitive,” Ms Hewson said.

“Industry concerns over new investment spreads beyond coal across all Queensland commodities, including critical minerals that are so important to the energy transition with enormous potential to drive the ongoing success of Queensland’s resources sector.”

The QRC says the Keep Queensland Competitive Campaign is restricted by the Queensland Government’s election spending cap and will focus on regional areas where the resources sector is a major contributor to local jobs and economic opportunities.

“In the 2023 financial year, resources companies spent $33 billion supporting Queensland businesses, sports clubs and charities on top of the royalties paid to the government,” Ms Hewson said.

“Just over half of that, or $16.7 billion, was spent with businesses based in the regions.

“The real Queenslanders who feature in the advertisements are just a few of the tens of thousands of people across the state who know what’s at stake if the government doesn’t get the right policy settings to keep our resources sector strong.

“The Queensland resources sector is proud of the contribution it makes to support all Queenslanders,” Ms Hewson said.

“We need a fair and balanced royalty system that encourages new investment to keep Queensland competitive and ensure the resources sector can continue to underpin our state’s economic security for the decades ahead.”

Media Contact: Matt Dunstan – [email protected] or 0411 535 072