Major parties acknowledge key resources role in Queensland’s COVID recovery
19 October 2020
The Queensland Resources Council has welcomed recognition by the state’s two major parties at separate campaign launches yesterday of the critical role mining and gas companies have played in providing an economic buffer for Queensland from the worst of COVID-19.
After what QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane describes as a lacklustre attitude towards the sector over the past three years by the Palaszczuk government, the QRC will now continue to seek individual commitments from candidates in all 93 seats to gauge their real feelings about the resources sector.
Mr Macfarlane said he expects a survey of candidates’ views about the importance of the resources sector and the 372,000 jobs and 14,400 businesses it supports in Queensland to be revealing, with results published on the QRC website.
“More than ever, voters need to know who they’re voting for and what candidates stand for in the upcoming state election,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“The next government in Queensland must be able to sensibly balance its economic and environmental responsibilities and make practical decisions for the benefit of all Queenslanders, instead of pandering to city-based politicians and interest groups with anti-mining agendas.”
Mr Macfarlane said the QRC has launched a two-week campaign across 13 seats urging voters to put their jobs first by backing candidates who support the mining and gas sector, which is the state’s biggest export industry and contributes $74 billion a year to the Queensland economy.
The QRC today welcomed the LNP’s re-stated commitment to keep royalty taxes on resources at current levels for the next 10 years to stimulate large-scale investment and create new jobs, and to grant approvals for New Hope’s New Acland Stage 3 mine project if elected.
Mr Macfarlane said the QRC has been urging the ALP for some time to match the LNP’s commitments in these two key areas as they will create and, in New Acland’s case, save jobs, giving Queensland the best chance of recovering economically from COVID-19.
“Our sector needs to dramatically improve its competitiveness compared to other resources investment locations in Australia and overseas, so offering a longer period of royalty certainty could be the difference between getting a major new project off the ground and missing out,” he said.
Mr Macfarlane said a key area the ALP got right in its campaign launch was to commit to free TAFE and apprenticeships for Queenslanders under 25 years, which will be welcomed by the state’s critical and growing mining, equipment, technology and services (METS) businesses.
“The QRC and AMEC’s joint Resources Industry Recovery Agenda had proposed the next state government work with industry to address resources-related skills gaps and training needs to ensure an adequate supply of skilled workers, including statutory ticket holders, so this is great news for our sector and we congratulate the ALP on this policy,” he said.
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Media contact: Caroline Morrissey 0417 770 893