GST should reward resourceful states - QRC

IT IS TIME to penalise states that do not develop resources because of pressure from foreign-funded green activists, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane told the Queensland Media Club today.

Queensland and Western Australia are currently disadvantaged by having resource royalties counted against the Grants Commission per capita distribution of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

“States that do the heavy lifting by supporting job creating resource projects and supplying the electricity market shouldn’t be worse off,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Politicians can’t keep ignoring the science and running away at the first sign of chanting and placard waving from green activists. If you want to fall to the ideology and expect other states to provide your energy needs, then the federal government should cut your GST distribution.

“Overseas in resource rich countries such as Canada, royalty income is discounted by 50 per cent before it is added to the equalisation calculations. If such a system was adopted here, Queensland would gain about an extra $100 million a year – which is money in the bank to pay for infrastructure and services to make our state an even better place to live.”

Mr Macfarlane also called out foreign-funded green activists who use deceptive tactics along with misinformation campaigns.

“The optimist in me knows that good journalism isn’t dead and that the reason behind no fact-checking is an under-resourced newsroom – but the cynic in me sees a pattern of behaviour from the same journalists at the same news outlets," Mr Macfarlane said.

“I call on everyone to question and check everything they are told, especially if the consequences have the potential to cause harm, to health, business or reputation.”

www.qrc.org.au

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