QRC CEO Ian Macfarlane
PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has called on the next state government to support the sector, allowing for more investment in the region.
Queenslanders are voting on a new government on November 25.
QRC CEO Ian Macfarlane said on Wednesday that the resource industry, which employs about 309 500 full-time employees in Queensland, underpinned the economic prosperity of the state.
“The resources sector drives our regional communities from Townsville and Mt Isa in the north through to Toowoomba and Roma in the south. Resources investment and jobs also make Brisbane the state’s biggest mining town – with A$27-billion of Brisbane’s gross regional product coming from the resources sector,” Macfarlane said.
“It’s paramount the next Queensland government recognises the sector’s contribution to the economy, including A$3.8-billion in royalties forecast for the Budget this year.”
Macfarlane called for all parties to commit to a royalties freeze, saying the resources sector already did much of the heavy lifting for the Queensland economy, paying payroll tax, income tax, stamp duty, council rates and royalties.
“Those royalties help pay the wages of teachers, nurses and police in communities across the state,” he added.
“In addition, QRC is seeking a commitment that there will be no new restrictions imposed on oil and gas exploration and development through the extension of the Pristine Rivers policy in the Cooper basin.”
Macfarlane said that by taking a proactive approach to exploration, standing up to anti-development activism, supporting projects and securing reliable and affordable power, thousands more construction jobs and permanent jobs could be created.