Media Releases
Statement by Queensland Resources Council Board President, Mr Brent Gunther, in response to a decision by BHP to suspend its QRC membership
QRC welcomes progress on CopperString 2.0 to power North West Minerals Province jobs
The Queensland Resources Council has welcomed the Queensland Government’s announcement today of an implementation agreement for the proposed CopperString 2.0 high voltage 1100 km transmission line to the North West Minerals Province. QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the progress of CopperString 2.0 was part of the Resources Industry Recovery Agenda presented to the Government by QRC-AMEC in June.
QRC welcomes Premier’s ‘no deals’ promise ruling out power-sharing with Greens
The Queensland Resources Council has welcomed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s promise to “no deals”, ruling out a power-sharing alliance with the Greens to stay in office after the 31 October State election.
QRC urges Queenslanders to vote for COVID-19 recovery – jobs first, Greens last
The Queensland Resources Council is urging voters at this month’s state election to back a strong economic recovery post-COVID by putting job security first and the Greens last on their ballot paper.
QRC welcomes Olive Downs mine as ‘critical jobs booster’ for Queensland COVID-19 recovery
The Queensland Resources Council has described the decision to grant the mining lease for Pembroke Resources’ Olive Downs coking coal project in central Queensland as a “critical jobs booster” for the State’s COVID-19 recovery.
QRC welcomes Glencore’s $500 million investment into regional Queensland
The Queensland Resources Council has welcomed a $500 million investment by Glencore which will see its Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery extend operations beyond 2022.
QRC chief in Mackay today, flags more resources jobs for Queenslanders post-COVID
The resources industry has kept Queenslanders working and earning through COVID-19 and is poised to play a central role in employing more regional Queenslanders, Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said today. Speaking from Mackay, Mr Macfarlane said the QRC’s latest State of the Sector report found 43 per cent of resource companies were planning to decrease their use of interstate workers in the long term.
Resources keep Qld afloat despite regulatory headwinds
The resources industry has played a critical role in keeping Queenslanders working and earning through COVID-19 and is central to the state’s economic recovery, according to the Queensland Resources Council’s (QRC) latest State of the Sector report.
Queenslanders shine in national women in resources awards
Two Queensland women have taken out top honours in the Women in Resources National Awards presented by the Minerals Council of Australia today.
Moranbah Hospital redevelopment commitment welcomed by QRC
The Queensland Resources Council welcomes the State Government commitment of $500,000 for a business case for the redevelopment of the Moranbah Hospital. QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the State Government should now provide a timeframe on the progression from business case to hospital redevelopment.
Canberra answers QRC calls to hit the gas for COVID recovery
The Queensland Resources Council has welcomed today’s announcement by the Morrison Government of a multi-pronged plan to develop more Queensland gas for market as part of a COVID-19 recovery. QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the QRC’s Resources Industry Recovery Agenda, published in June, identified more gas pipeline infrastructure as a key response to the COVID-19 recovery.
Resource exploration funding boost would pay COVID-19 recovery dividend for Queensland
The Queensland Resources Council is urging the State Government to commit extra funding from its $3 billion COVID-19 stimulus package to a collaborative program to boost exploration for new resource discoveries.
Dr Anthony Lynham‘s retirement from politics
On behalf of the 372,000 Queenslanders working in or because of the resources industry across the State, I want to thank Dr Anthony Lynham for his service as Minister over the last five years. Dr Lynham entered politics to prevent the tragic loss of young Queenslanders to one-punch assaults, but he has achieved much more than that important achievement.
QRC has launched an unprecedented four-week media campaign in the lead-up to the State Election to emphasise the economic and job creation importance of the mining and gas industry to the State’s COVID-19 recovery. QRC Chief Executive Mr Ian Macfarlane said the campaign was in response to worsening economic conditions, with Queensland’s unemployment rate the nation’s highest at 8.8% and the resources industry’s potential
QRC applauds QCoal’s Indigenous employment
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has applauded QCoal’s Indigenous participation rates at the company’s Byerwen Coal mine in Central Queensland.QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said QCoal’s Indigenous representation at its Bowen Basin mine was 12 percent which was three times the industry average. “Indigenous people comprise 4 percent of the State’s workforce in resources and Queensland’s Indigenous population is 4 percent.
Resources sector has plan to dig Queensland out of COVID-19 unemployment hole
A Queensland resources industry plan for the COVID-19 recovery will assist keeping Queenslanders in work and get more back into employment, with confirmation today the State’s jobless rate was now the nation’s highest at 8.8%.Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the industry had worked extremely hard to flatten the curve and to keep the workers prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Royalty certainty essential to protect Qld economy from COVID-19 impacts
A legislated 10-year hold on the rate of royalties applied by the State Government to Queensland's resource commodities will create more jobs and strengthen COVID-19 recovery efforts, according to the Queensland Resources Council.QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said maintaining royalty rates – already Australia’s highest - at current levels for the next 10 years sends a clear message to investors around the globe that 'Queensland is open for business'.
You can count on us: Queensland Resources Council
Queenslanders can count on the resources industry to continue to strictly comply with all government protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) said today.QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the industry was working closely with the State Government and office of the Chief Health Officer (CHO) to prevent the spread of the virus, especially into regional areas, and will do whatever is necessary to protect workers and the community.