Resources 2018 growth creates jobs equivalent to a township like Bowen or Kingaroy

THE LATEST Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data has underlined the importance of maintaining a strong resources industry to keep driving jobs growth, with the sector now creating more than one job an hour according to Queensland Resources Council  chief executive Ian Macfarlane.

According to the QRC chief executive, the detailed quarterly labour force data showed the number of Queensland resources jobs for the August quarter was up "an incredible 17 percent compared with the same time last year".

“In the space of a year the Queensland mining industry has created an extra 10,000 jobs. That’s the equivalent of a town about the size of Kingaroy, Gracemere or Bowen,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“Queensland has the highest unemployment rate in Australia at the moment, but investments in the resources sector are doing their part to create jobs and opportunities – especially in regional areas.

“It’s more important than ever that we keep our resources sector strong," he said.

“There is more good news on the horizon for the resources sector, with Queensland’s most valuable export seeing new or reinvigorated projects right across our State so far this year, and we can add to that this week’s progress on the Adani project.

“The resources sector creates good, high paying jobs in every town and city in Queensland. We look forward to working with all levels of Government to continue attracting new investment.

“Our industry needs stable and predictable policy to give it the confidence to invest more, export more and ultimately employ more in the sustainable, competitive and safe development of our coal, minerals, petroleum and gas.”

www.qrc.org.au

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