QRC Election Priorities to secure a strong Qld resources sector that will protect and grow jobs

Click here for photo of QRC Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson

Click here to read QRC 2024 State Election Priorities

With less than 100 days to the Queensland state election, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has outlined the priorities for an incoming government to ensure a strong resources sector that can continue to deliver significant economic and social benefits for all Queenslanders.

Chief Executive Officer Janette Hewson released the QRC’s 2024 State Election Priorities in the resources’ hub of Mackay.

“The resources sector is proud of the contribution it makes that supports all Queenslanders but the message to all political parties and candidates at the coming election is that the industry’s future success cannot be taken for granted,” Ms Hewson said.

“Our priorities centre on four key themes to support investment and jobs, regional communities, boosting skilled workers, and a sustainable energy transition.”

The QRC’s priority policy areas are:

• Competitiveness and Stability to Protect and Grow Jobs.

• Fair Return for the Regions.

• Skills for the Future.

• Energy Security, Diversity and Transition.

“Queensland’s resources sector must be competitive with the right taxes, the right policies and the right regulations to attract global investment that will secure jobs and economic prosperity for all Queenslanders,” Ms Hewson said.

“That includes setting a fair and balanced coal royalty tax rate through proper consultation with industry.

“The resources sector has always been prepared to pay its fair share, but we need a coal royalty system that provides returns to both Queensland and investors to encourage investment in new projects across all commodities produced in Queensland.

“Our message to all sides of politics is that the best way to secure a long-term stream of royalties is to encourage a pipeline of new projects and with that will come the jobs and economic benefits, particularly for regional Queensland.”

The QRC said that when Commonwealth GST and other payments are excluded, the resources sector generated 26 per cent of all Queensland Government revenue last financial year, and the regions play a significant role in that.

“Regional Queensland is the powerhouse of the state economy due to the huge economic value of the resources sector and we believe these communities deserve a larger share of funding for essential infrastructure and services,” Ms Hewson said.

“An incoming government must transparently invest more resources royalties into improving the sustainability and liveability of our regions. This means better roads, more teachers, nurses and doctors as well as hospital upgrades.”

QRC President Adam Lancey says the Queensland resources sector is also calling on the State Government elected in October to work with industry and regional communities to support more skilled employment opportunities.

“We would like to work with government to build the future workforce needed to sustain the pipeline of resources and decarbonisation projects,” Mr Lancey said.

“As an industry, the resources sector is making major investments to attract and retain skilled workers and encourage young people to consider one of the many careers available in the resources sector.

“Regional Skills Hubs could be based in one of our major resources cities from Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton or Mount Isa to help provide a pipeline of skilled workers that would benefit several industries including agriculture and construction,” Mr Lancey said.

The QRC says the Queensland Government must ensure affordable and reliable energy in the transition to a decarbonised future.

“Net zero can’t be achieved without the resources sector and Queensland and Australia must have affordable and reliable energy security while we transition to a decarbonised future,” Ms Hewson said.

“The government must recognise the essential role Queensland’s coal, gas and critical minerals sectors are playing in the state’s energy transition to achieve net zero.”

The QRC says it’s critical that the incoming State Government takes a long-term policy approach to an industry that is so important to Queensland’s economic prosperity.

“New resources projects, including critical minerals, can take up to 16 years to get from discovery to production and require hundreds of millions, and in many cases billions of dollars of investment,” Ms Hewson said.

“Investors need stable, long-term policies and proper consultation with industry to have the confidence to make the investments that will drive new projects and jobs in Queensland’s most important industry.

“The resources sector is ready to continue to support jobs and economic growth for Queensland, we just need the government to get the right policy settings.”